If you're worried about that side-flip screen, ditch the shotgun mic idea entirely. I switched to a wireless setup and never looked back because it keeps the top of the camera totally clear. Check out the Rode Wireless ME Compact Wireless Microphone System. Its tiny, pretty much plug-and-play, and leaves your screen totally visible for those self-vlogs. Plus, it fits in a pocket which is huge when you're walking around shrines all day... definitely easier than lugging a deadcat around. For the tripod, honestly dont overthink it or spend a fortune. The Ulanzi MT-16 Extendable Camera Tripod is basically the budget king for vlogging. It has a built-in cold shoe on the side of the ball head, which is a massive win for the X-S20 ergonomics. If you ever do use a wired mic, you can mount it there instead of on top of the camera, keeping the screen path clear. Its surprisingly sturdy for the price and has a decent extension. Total for both is gonna be way under your $250 limit, probably around $130-150 depending on where you shop. Use the extra money for a high-speed SD card like the SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB SDXC UHS-I Card or just some extra ramen while you're out there. Just make sure to test the wireless sync before you hop on the plane tho, sometimes the initial pairing can be a bit finicky if the firmware is old.

I totally get that frustration. I remember my first time using a flip-out screen on a trip to Osaka years ago, I brought this massive shotgun mic that basically made the screen useless. Total rookie move on my part. The Fuji X-S20 is a beast for vlogging but that side-hinge is picky. To keep it under your budget while staying compact, you should definitely look at these:

• Rode VideoMicro II Ultracompact On-camera Microphone
• Joby GorillaPod 3K Kit with BallHead In my experience, you want to keep the rig as light as possible because you'll be walking miles in Kyoto. The VideoMicro II is a lifesaver because it doesnt need batteries and it is short enough that it wont overhang the screen hinge. It uses a supercardioid polar pattern that rejects a lot of the ambient city noise you'll hit in Gion, and it's only 39 grams. I've tried many over the years and this one is the most reliable for small setups because the Helix isolation mount is way more durable than those old rubber band mounts. The GorillaPod is my go-to for Japan. Kyoto has tons of uneven surfaces, stone lanterns, and wooden railings where you cant just set a flat tripod down. You can wrap these legs around almost anything to get the shot. One little tip tho, make sure the ball head is tight before you walk around with it. These two together will keep you way under budget and wont block your view... enjoy your trip.

^ This. Also, be really careful about those cheap combo kits you see at big box stores right before a trip. I made that mistake once before heading to Tokyo and honestly, it was a disaster. I thought I was saving money but the mounting brackets were so poorly made they kept loosening. My camera almost took a dive onto the pavement because the tripod head couldnt handle the weight of the lens once the screen was flipped out. Unfortunately, saving fifty bucks almost cost me my whole setup. A few things to watch out for:

• Thick coiled cables often pull on the camera port and can eventually damage the internal connection if they are too stiff.
• Check the weight limit on whatever legs you buy. If its too close to the limit, the side-flip screen changes the center of gravity just enough to make it unstable.
• Wind muffs that are too fluffy sometimes sag into the frame if you use a wide lens. It was not as good as expected and I ended up spending more in the long run because I had to replace it all mid-trip... just be careful out there.

@Reply #3 - good point! Seeing everyone weigh in on the wireless vs shotgun debate and those tripod stability issues just highlights what a mess this can be. Honestly, I have this exact same issue with my Fujifilm X-S20 and have been dealing with it for like two months now with no luck. Unfortunately, the things I have tried were not as good as expected and always felt so unreliable or flimsy. It is really disappointing because you just want your gear to work without worrying about it falling apart or blocking your view. Still havent found a setup that actually feels safe and functional, so I am right there with you in the frustration camp. Ngl, it feels like we are just stuck for now...