How to say "outing" in Japanese

• 外出がいしゅつJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers the plain sense of going out — leaving home or the office for a while — with no suggestion of a pleasure trip; the usual choice when an 'outing' simply means being out.
  ヒーターをつけたまま外出がいしゅつした。↗

  I went out with the heater on.
• 遠出とおでCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbAn outing that takes you a good distance from home; the word points to the distance traveled, so use it when 'outing' means going somewhere far rather than simply stepping outside.
• 行楽こうらくCommon
  nounAn outing or excursion made for pleasure — essentially a pleasure trip or picnic outing; it names the leisurely purpose of the trip rather than the mere act of going out.
• 遊山ゆさんCommon
  nounA literary word for a pleasure outing or picnic; you will meet it mostly in writing rather than in speech, so for an everyday 'outing' it is seldom the word you want.
• 遠足えんそくJLPT N2approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbAn organized group excursion, above all a school outing or field trip; when 'outing' refers to a class trip or similar group excursion, this is the word, and it strongly suggests that setting.
  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.

Use 外出 for simply going out, 遠出 for an outing that takes you a good distance, 行楽 for pleasure trips or picnics, 遠足 for school or group outings, and 遊山 only in literary contexts.

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

• 外出がいしゅつgoing out
• 遠出とおでtrip
• 行楽こうらくouting
• 遊山ゆさんexcursion
• 遠足えんそくschool trip
• 野遊びのあそびouting
• アウティングouting (someone's sexual orientation or gender identity)
• 野遊やゆうouting (e.g. flower watching, hunting, picking wildflowers)
• デートdate (with someone)
• ピクニックouting
• お出かけおでかけouting