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.
There are many tourists in Kyoto.
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.
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.
I applied for a tourist visa.
Emphasizing that someone is not a local resident, often in contexts of behavior or appearance.
Specifically a tourist from another country.
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.
A tourist asked me for directions.
This is a service for tourists from overseas.