How to say "pilgrim" in Japanese

• 巡礼じゅんれいCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers the religious journey itself — a pilgrimage — and, by extension, the person making it. For an English 'pilgrim' as a traveler to a holy place, this is the word to reach for.
• 行者ぎょうじゃCommon
  nounRefers to a person devoted to religious austerities — an ascetic or devotee; its 'pilgrim' sense is secondary, so for a pilgrim as a traveler this is seldom the word you want.

Use 巡礼 for a pilgrimage or the pilgrim making it; 行者 is really an ascetic or devotee, its 'pilgrim' sense secondary, so it seldom fits the ordinary traveler-to-holy-places meaning.

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

• 巡礼じゅんれいpilgrimage
• 行者ぎょうじゃascetic
• 巡礼者じゅんれいしゃpilgrim
• 遍歴者へんれきしゃpilgrim
• 遊行者ゆうぎょうしゃpilgrim
• 参詣者さんけいしゃworshipper
• 参拝者さんぱいしゃworshipper
• 遍路へんろpilgrim
• 無東西むとうざいitinerant monk