Translation guide
To move from place to place, often without a fixed itinerary, for sightseeing, work, or leisure.
To visit various places for pleasure, often as a tourist.
Literally 'travel around visiting'. A natural way to express touring multiple destinations.
I traveled around Europe during summer vacation.
Emphasizes sightseeing. Use when the focus is on visiting tourist spots.
京都の寺を観光して回った。
I traveled around visiting temples in Kyoto.
A formal term for a circular tour or excursion, often used in travel packages.
九州周遊の旅に出た。
I went on a tour around Kyushu.
To go to many different locations, not necessarily for tourism.
A common way to say 'move around here and there'. Suitable for work or daily life.
営業であちこち移動している。
I travel around for sales work.
Literally 'go around various places'. Neutral and widely used.
彼は仕事で各地を回っている。
He travels around for work.
To travel for an extended period, often on a budget, covering many areas.
Uses the loanword 'backpacker'. Common among young Japanese travelers.
彼はバックパッカーとしてアジアを旅している。
He is traveling around Asia as a backpacker.
Means 'to wander' or 'to roam'. Conveys a sense of aimless, free travel.
若い頃、世界中を放浪した。
When I was young, I traveled around the world.
旅行する (ryokou suru) simply means 'to travel'. To express 'travel around', combine it with 回る (mawaru) or use phrases like 各地を回る. Using 旅行する alone does not convey the sense of moving between multiple places.
日本を旅行する。
Travel in Japan. (could be one city)
日本を旅行して回る。
Travel around Japan. (visiting many places)
Avoid directly translating 'travel around' as トラベルアラウンド. It is not natural Japanese. Use the patterns above.
Implies wandering from place to place, often for work or survival. Can have a nomadic nuance.
職を求めて国中を渡り歩いた。
I traveled around the country looking for work.