I've mainly been using cheaper brushes for the majority of my life: Sonia Kashuk, Ecotools, Real Techniques, MAC, Sigma, Sedona Lace and was never really impressed by natural hair brushes because MAC brushes always felt scratchy and not very soft to me. Sedona Lace has to be my favorite low-mid range brush line (vortex set). Then with my obsession with Japanese makeup brushes, I've come to realize that natural hair can really be soft and apply nicely!
I've been to Japan many times and I speak, read and write Japanese, but I've never really bought any makeup there (because I have a ton already, Japanese included) nor have I bought brushes while I was there
What a mistake! Oh, the regret! I was just there in the end of March-early April too! 
After many hours of reading Sonia's lovely blog and doing tons of research on brushes, I decided to place a CDJapan order for a variety of them as well as a Beautylish order.
I ordered:
- Wayne Goss 06
Chikuhodo T-7
Mizuho Large Eye Shadow Brush CMP521 (because the pointed blending one was out of stock)
Koyudo fu-pa07-p
Koyudo Macaroon Kabuki Brush
CDJapan CB100 Powder Angled Brush
Koyomo Pearl Pink Series Face Brush
Koyomo Pearl Pink Series Shadow Brush
Overall, I am impressed, although I would say that I was perhaps over-hyping the brushes and expecting them to be like unicorn fur
The Chikuhodo is so soft and is better at laying down color and blending than the Wayne Goss. The Mizuho eyeshadow brush is good for a soft wash of overall color, Koyudo fu-pa07 is good for liquid/cream foundations (my skin has been glowing from the exfoliation from this brush O_O), CDJapan brush I would say it's not dense enough for blush so it's just a normal powder brush, Koyomo brushes are SUPER soft (I regret not getting the blush brush), and I haven't used the Macaron yet. Anyway, I'm totally looking forward to more orders (my poor, poor wallet) when holiday season comes! I am going to stalk the Chikuhodo Japanese site to see when they announce their new holiday sets. Last year their announcement for pre-orders was on 10/27
Also want to try Hakuhodo!Sorry for the long post. I've gotten into a bad addiction!! Haha.
I would definitely need your help!! 
Would love to help you out when you need it!
although when I went back in the spring there were sooo many people 
Be prepared for crowds! Ah yes, don't go broke from buying too many of the beauties 
not sure when the next time i'll be going but hopefully in the next few years 
I just followed you on IG!