Translation guide
In Japanese, the most common term for a school trip is 修学旅行 (shuugaku ryokou), which specifically refers to an educational trip taken by students, usually in their final year of elementary, junior high, or high school. There are also other terms for different types of school excursions.
A trip organized by the school for educational purposes, typically lasting several days and often to historical or cultural sites.
The standard term for a school trip, especially the major trip taken in the final year of elementary, junior high, or high school. It is an educational journey, often to places like Kyoto, Nara, or Okinawa.
来月、修学旅行で京都に行きます。
Next month, I'm going to Kyoto on a school trip.
修学旅行の思い出は一生の宝物です。
Memories of the school trip are a lifelong treasure.
Refers to a school excursion or field trip, usually a one-day trip to a nearby park, museum, or nature spot. Often used for elementary school outings.
明日は遠足で動物園に行きます。
Tomorrow we're going to the zoo on a field trip.
Literally 'off-campus learning,' this is a broader term for any educational activity outside school, including day trips or visits to local facilities. More formal than 遠足.
校外学習で市役所を見学しました。
We visited the city hall as part of our off-campus learning.
A school trip that involves staying overnight, often for team-building or nature experiences, but not necessarily the major educational trip.
A school camp or trip to a forested/mountain area, usually in summer, for outdoor activities and nature study. Common in elementary and junior high school.
林間学校でキャンプファイヤーをしました。
We had a campfire at the school camp.
General term for an overnight learning experience, often used for school trips that include staying at a facility. Can overlap with 修学旅行 but is more generic.
宿泊学習で友達と一緒に泊まるのが楽しみです。
I'm looking forward to staying with my friends during the overnight study trip.
A brief trip or outing, often for fun or a change of scenery, not necessarily strictly educational.
As above, but can also be used more casually for any school picnic or day trip.
遠足のおやつは300円までです。
Snacks for the field trip are limited to 300 yen.
Loanword from English, used for a picnic outing, which can be school-organized but is more casual.
修学旅行 is the iconic multi-day trip, often to a distant location, and is a major event in a student's life. 遠足 is a one-day excursion, usually for younger students. 校外学習 is a formal term for any off-campus educational activity, including short visits.
When talking about your own school trip experience, 修学旅行 is the most natural choice if it was the big trip. For a simple field trip, use 遠足. If you're unsure, 修学旅行 is widely understood.
A school trip to the seaside, often for swimming and marine study. Less common than 林間学校.
臨海学校で泳ぎ方を習いました。
We learned how to swim at the seaside school.
We went to the park for a school picnic.