yo, just saw this thread and honestly, i went through this exact same struggle last year before a big trip!! i was using an older rx100 and really wanted those crisp night shots without lugging around a huge rig. i started with the pixi too, but like you feared, it was basically useless for shooting over city railings or anything that wasnt a flat table. soooo i ended up looking for something that had a decent max height but folded down small enough to disappear in my pack. i eventually grabbed the Vanguard VEO 3T 204CB Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod and it was a total game changer for me. it’s super lightweight but feels way more solid than the plastic-y alternatives. just a quick tip tho: since you’re doing long exposures, be really careful with extending the center column all the way up... it can get kinda shaky if there’s even a little bit of wind. i usually hang my camera bag from the hook at the bottom to add some extra weight and stability. i also looked at the MeFOTO RoadTrip S Aluminum Travel Tripod which is usually right around your $150 budget and comes in cool colors. basically, just make sure whatever you get has a ball head that can lock down tight so your sony doesnt creep during a 10-second exposure. it’s a tiny camera but every millimeter of movement ruins the shot, right?? anyway, japan is literally a dream for photography, you’re gonna have a blast. gl!! 👍

For your situation, basically the key for long exposures is rigidity over pure height. You'll need telescoping legs to get above city railings, right? Honestly, I've found that the Sirui T-005S Traveler Light Aluminum Tripod with B-00 Ball Head is the sweet spot. It's usually under $100—total steal!!—weighs almost nothing, and packs down tiny. Seriously, way better than a Joby for actual stability... gl!

This ^

> I’m worried about finding that sweet spot between portability and enough height to be actually useful. That struggle is so real! I remember being in Tokyo last year and my first tripod was so short I had to balance it on random trash cans just to see over the crowds... it was a disaster lol. I eventually switched to a slim five-section model that actually fit inside my bag but still reached eye level. It was a total game changer for my night shots! What I learned is that reliability is everything!! I started hanging my heavy camera bag from the middle hook whenever it got windy near the waterfront and it made the shots so crisp. Its such a rush when you finally nail a 30 second exposure and its perfectly sharp because your gear didnt budge an inch. I love it when a setup just works without being a total pain to carry around all day!

Wow ok that changes things. Gonna have to rethink my approach now.