How to say "pilgrimage" in Japanese

• 巡礼じゅんれいCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe word for a pilgrimage in the basic sense of a religious journey to a holy place such as a temple or shrine; it also covers the pilgrim as a person.
• 行脚あんぎゃCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbA pilgrimage in the sense of travelling on foot, especially the religious wandering of a monk or ascetic; for an ordinary trip to a holy site this is not the word you want.
• 参宮さんぐうCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbA pilgrimage to the Ise Grand Shrine specifically; use it only when Ise is the destination, not for pilgrimages in general.
• 参詣さんけいCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbA visit to a temple or shrine to worship; choose it when 'pilgrimage' really means such a visit or act of worship rather than a long religious journey.
• 遍歴へんれきCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbReally 'travels' or 'itinerancy', wandering from place to place; it fits 'pilgrimage' only loosely and is seldom the word you want for a religious journey.

Use 巡礼 for a religious pilgrimage in general, 参詣 for a visit to a temple or shrine to worship, 参宮 only for a pilgrimage to Ise, 行脚 for a monk's journey on foot, and 遍歴 for wandering travels.

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

• 巡礼じゅんれいpilgrimage
• 行脚あんぎゃpilgrimage
• 参宮さんぐうpilgrimage (esp. to the Ise Grand Shrine)
• 参詣さんけいvisit to a temple or shrine
• 遍歴へんれきtravels
• 遍路へんろpilgrimage
• 遊行ゆぎょうpilgrimage
• 詣でもうでpilgrimage
• 巡りめぐりtour