Translation guide
The most common and neutral word for 'tourist' is 観光客 (kankōkyaku). For a more casual, traveler-like nuance, 旅行者 (ryokōsha) is used. In signs and formal contexts, 観光客 is standard.
A person visiting a place for sightseeing or leisure, often in a group or as part of the tourism industry.
The standard word for 'tourist', emphasizing sightseeing. Used in news, signs, and everyday conversation.
京都にはたくさんの観光客がいます。
There are many tourists in Kyoto.
観光客向けの地図をもらいました。
I got a map for tourists.
Means 'traveler' and can be used for tourists, but has a broader sense of anyone on a journey. Slightly more formal or literary than 観光客.
海外からの旅行者が増えています。
The number of travelers from overseas is increasing.
Loanword from English. Used in some contexts like 'tourist visa' or 'tourist class', but not as common as 観光客 for people.
ツーリストビザを申請しました。
I applied for a tourist visa.
Emphasizing that someone is not a local resident, often in contexts of behavior or appearance.
Still the best word. Often used when distinguishing tourists from locals.
地元の人と観光客が混ざっています。
Locals and tourists are mingling.
Literally 'person who is traveling'. A softer, descriptive way to refer to tourists without the industry connotation.
旅行中の人に道を聞かれました。
A tourist asked me for directions.
Specifically a tourist from another country.
Standard term for 'foreign tourist'. Very common in news and business contexts.
外国人観光客が日本を訪れています。
Foreign tourists are visiting Japan.
Literally 'travelers from overseas'. Slightly more formal.
海外からの旅行者向けのサービスです。
This is a service for tourists from overseas.
観光客 specifically means a sightseer, often implying someone on a packaged tour or visiting famous spots. 旅行者 is a broader 'traveler' and can include backpackers, business travelers, etc. In many contexts they overlap, but 観光客 is the default for 'tourist'.
While ツーリスト exists, it's mainly used in compound terms like ツーリストビザ (tourist visa). Calling someone a ツーリスト sounds unnatural; use 観光客 instead.