Translation guide
The English word 'tour' covers several related ideas: a guided sightseeing trip, a performance circuit, a military duty period, and a general visit around a place. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
Express going on a tour for sightseeing, often with a guide or as part of a group.
The most common and direct loanword for a packaged tour, sightseeing trip, or guided tour. Used widely in travel contexts.
来月、京都のツアーに参加します。
Next month, I'm joining a tour of Kyoto.
このツアーには英語のガイドが付いています。
This tour includes an English-speaking guide.
General word for travel or a trip. Can be used for a tour when the focus is on the journey itself rather than the guided aspect.
ヨーロッパ旅行でいろんな国を回った。
I toured various countries on my trip to Europe.
Sightseeing. Often used in compounds like 観光ツアー (sightseeing tour) or 観光バス (tour bus).
東京の観光ツアーに申し込んだ。
I signed up for a sightseeing tour of Tokyo.
Tour for study or inspection, such as a factory tour or school visit. Implies learning by observation.
工場見学はとても面白かった。
The factory tour was very interesting.
Refer to a series of performances or matches in different places.
Also used for concert tours, sports tours, etc. The context makes the meaning clear.
そのバンドはワールドツアーを発表した。
The band announced a world tour.
Traditional term for a performance tour, especially for sumo, kabuki, or other traditional arts. Sounds formal or old-fashioned.
Talk about a period of service in the military.
General term for duty or service. Used in phrases like 海外勤務 (overseas tour of duty).
彼はイラクでの勤務を終えた。
He finished his tour in Iraq.
Specifically military service or campaign. Often used in historical contexts.
Describe going around a place to see it, often without a formal guide.
To go around looking at things. A natural way to say 'tour' as a verb.
私たちは市内を見て回った。
We toured the city.
To go around, visit multiple places. Often used with places as objects.
週末に美術館を回るつもりだ。
I plan to tour the museums this weekend.
To guide or show someone around. Used when you are giving a tour.
友達を東京案内した。
I gave my friend a tour of Tokyo.
While ツアー is versatile, it is not used for military service. Use 勤務 or other specific terms.
To express the action of touring, use verbs like 見て回る, 回る, or 案内する depending on whether you are the visitor or the guide.
私たちは城のガイド付きツアーに参加した。
We went on a guided tour of the castle.
そのバンドはヨーロッパツアー中です。
The band is on tour in Europe.
彼はアフガニスタンでの勤務を終えた。
He completed his tour in Afghanistan.
大相撲の巡業が地方で行われた。
The sumo tour was held in the provinces.
彼の祖父は二度の従軍経験がある。
His grandfather served two tours of duty.