I totally get the frustration with the X-T5. Fuji actually tweaked the dimensions and made the body slightly more compact than the X-T4, which is technically impressive but sucks for anyone with larger hands. I had issues with my grip strength failing during long shoots too. Its disappointing that we have to spend extra just to make a flagship camera comfortable to hold. I've tested a bunch of these and honestly, most thumb grips are not as good as expected because they put too much leverage on the hot shoe mount, which isnt really designed for that kind of stress. If you're doing street photography, you want something more secure.

• SmallRig L-Shape Grip for FUJIFILM X-T5 4136 is probably your best bet for the Japan trip. It is CNC-machined aluminum and adds about 22mm of height to the front grip area. It has a built-in Arca-Swiss plate on the bottom too. The only letdown is the weight... it adds about 79g to the setup which kinda ruins the lightweight vibe.
• Lensmate Fujifilm X-T5 Folding Thumbrest is the premium choice everyone talks about, but I found the silicone bumper can sometimes slide off after it gets warm. Not great for a sixty dollar piece of kit.
• Fujifilm MHG-XT5 Metal Hand Grip is the official one. It fits the best but unfortunately costs way too much for a basic baseplate. Since you're in NY, just grab the SmallRig from B&H. It wont block your battery door and finally gives your pinky a place to rest so you dont get those cramps while walking around Tokyo.

No way, I literally just dealt with this yesterday. Small world.

This is exactly what I needed to hear. Youre a lifesaver honestly.

Oh man, Japan is going to be incredible! But yeah, you absolutely cannot go with that pinky-dangle for ten days, your hand will be totally trashed by day three. I had the same ergonomics crisis when I moved to the X-T5. Since you want something super solid that doesnt feel like a cheap plastic toy, you really should look at these two specific pieces:

• SmallRig L-Shape Grip for FUJIFILM X-T5 4136
• I know you mentioned SmallRig looks bulky, but this L-shape version is actually super slim compared to their full cages. It basically just extends the front grip and gives your pinky a solid place to rest. Its all high-grade aluminum, matches the finish perfectly, and the battery door access is 100% unobstructed. Its a total game changer for street photography!
• Haoge THB-XT5B Thumb Up Rest for Fujifilm X-T5
• If you want a thumb rest thats rock solid but costs less than the Lensmate, this is the one. Its machined from a single block of metal. No wiggling at all! It even has a little silicone insert where it touches the body so it wont scratch that beautiful finish you're worried about. Getting both should still stay under your 100 buck budget if you shop around. Having both the bottom extension and the top thumb leverage makes the camera feel half as heavy because you arent squeezing it so hard to keep it steady. Youll definitely get them in NY in time if you order soon. Have an amazing time in Japan, the street shooting there is honestly life-changing!

Any updates on this?

Man, this whole grip situation reminds me of the time I tried to go the full DIY route back when I had an older camera. I was convinced I could save a ton of money by just designing my own extension plate and 3D printing it at the local library. I spent like three days measuring every single curve with a caliper because I was so paranoid about the fit. Honestly, you really gotta be careful with the tolerances on these things. I finally got the print done in this neon orange resin—looked cool as hell—but then I realized I forgot to leave a hole for the tripod screw. Total disaster. I ended up trying to dremel through it in my kitchen and the whole thing just shattered into a million pieces. My wife was picking orange plastic shards out of the rug for weeks. Its wild how much engineering goes into just making something feel right in the hand, you know? Definitely taught me a lesson about trying to outsmart the manufacturers when you are in a rush before a big trip. I spent more on the resin and the dremel bits than a real grip would have cost anyway... basically a total nightmare.