How to say "excursion" in Japanese

• 回遊かいゆうCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers the 'round trip' side of 'excursion' — going a circuit and returning to the start. Most familiar for animals that roam or migrate, it is seldom the word you want for a human outing.
• トリップCommon
  nounThe 'trip' sense: a journey or short pleasure trip. As a loanword it has a light, casual feel, natural when talking about traveling somewhere for a change of scene, such as a short holiday.
• 遠足えんそくJLPT N2approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe 'school trip; field trip' sense: an organized group outing, usually a day trip. Typical of school classes traveling together to a park, zoo or similar place for the day.
  学校がっこうの遠足えんそくで奈良ならに行いった。↗

  We went on a school trip to Nara.
• 遠出とおでCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbA pleasure trip that takes you well away from home — the emphasis falls on the distance covered. Natural for a day's drive to the seaside or countryside, farther afield than an ordinary outing.
• 遊山ゆさんCommon
  nounAn outing made to enjoy scenery — the 'outing; picnic' side of 'excursion'. It has a literary flavor, so it is seldom the word you want; 遠足 or 遠出 are safer everyday choices.

Use 遠足 for an organized group or school outing, 遠出 for a pleasure trip somewhere far from home, 「トリップ」 for a casual trip generally, and reserve 回遊 for round trips or roaming and 遊山 for literary pleasure outings.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 回遊かいゆうexcursion
• トリップtrip
• 遠足えんそくschool trip
• 遠出とおでtrip
• 遊山ゆさんexcursion
• 修学旅行しゅうがくりょこうexcursion
• 周遊しゅうゆう(circular) tour
• 行楽こうらくouting
• 旅行りょこうtravel
• エクスカーションexcursion
• 清遊せいゆうexcursion (for pleasure)
• 修旅しゅうりょexcursion
• 野遊びのあそびouting
• 小旅行しょうりょこうshort trip
• 野遊やゆうouting (e.g. flower watching, hunting, picking wildflowers)
• アウティングouting