Building on the earlier suggestion, honestly, if youre going to Japan you really should look at the Fuji side of things. I've tried many systems over the years, from heavy full-frame rigs to tiny point-and-shoots, and there is something special about the way Fujifilm handles colors that just fits the vibe of Tokyo street life. The Fujifilm X-T30 II with XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ Lens is probably your best bet under a grand. It has that classic retro look you mentioned, but the tech inside is very modern.

• Film Simulations: This is the big one. Instead of spending hours in Lightroom, you can pick a look like Acros for moody black and whites or Velvia for vibrant cityscapes right in the camera.
• Portability: It is significantly smaller than your old DSLR. You can pair it with a small prime lens later if you want to get even smaller.
• Autofocus: It uses a very capable sensor and processor, so the face and eye detection are snappy enough for busy crossings. One thing tho... mirrorless battery life isnt gonna touch your old DSLR. That is just the trade-off for the size. But the X-T30 II supports USB-C charging. In my experience, just carrying a small power bank like you already do for your phone is enough to top it off while youre on the train between Shinjuku and Shibuya. It beats carrying five spare batteries anyway. Let me know if you want to know more about the specific settings for street photography because there are some tricks to it.

Regarding what #2 said about the Fuji side of things, check the Canon EOS R10 with RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens. Its 651-point AF is killer for your budget.

^ This. Also, stumbled on this thread and honestly, making the jump to a lighter mirrorless kit is the best thing I ever did. My current setup works well and I've had no complaints about the weight or performance. To make sure you get something that actually lasts through those long Tokyo walks without needing a ton of spares, I have two quick questions:

• Do you plan on shooting mostly in the daytime, or do you need something that handles low-light neon signs and alleys really well?
• Is weather sealing a big deal for you, or do you usually tuck your gear away if it starts raining? Knowing those details will help find a reliable rig that stays under your grand.

I totally get the DSLR fatigue. Switched to mirrorless a few years back and I've been really satisfied with the results. If you're hitting Japan and walking that much, you should look at the Sony Alpha a6400 with 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens. It usually sits around $950 and hits all your technical requirements. It's small. Real small.

• Autofocus: The 425 phase-detection points are killer. Real-time eye tracking is basically magic for street shots.
• Portability: It's tiny compared to a Canon DSLR. Fits in a basic sling bag no problem.
• Battery: I'm happy with the NP-FW50 performance. It's rated for 400+ shots and holds up well for a full day of casual shooting, though mirrorless never quite beats a DSLR for longevity... just the way it is. If you want something that looks cooler, the Fujifilm X-T30 II with XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ Lens is the move. It has those retro dials and the film simulations are honestly a vibe for Tokyo street scenes. Specs-wise, it's very solid with 26.1MP and good burst speeds. I personally prefer the Sony for the autofocus reliability, but the Fuji is way more fun to hold. Both are light enough that your shoulder wont be screaming by lunchtime. The sensor on the a6400 is an APS-C Exmor CMOS which handles noise quite well at higher ISOs. Sony has a deeper grip tho, which works well if you have larger hands. You definitely dont want to go back to your phone... you'll miss the sensor size for those night shots in Shinjuku.