1.
tourist, sightseer
A person who travels for pleasure and sightseeing.
観光客が増えた。
Tourists have increased.
外国人観光客が年々増えている。
Foreign tourists are increasing year by year.
この通りには観光客向けのお店が並んでいる。
Shops for tourists line this street.
観光客が増えて、町がにぎやかになった。
Tourists increased, and the town became lively.
春になると、桜を見に来る観光客でいっぱいになる。
When spring comes, it fills up with tourists who come to see the cherry blossoms.
観光客 means a tourist or sightseer — someone who travels for pleasure. Composed of 観光 (sightseeing) + 客 (guest/customer).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 外国人観光客: foreign tourists
- 観光客が増える: tourists increase
- 観光客向け: aimed at tourists, for tourists
- 観光客を呼び込む: to attract tourists
RELATED WORDS:
- 旅行者: traveler (broader — includes business travelers)
- 観光地: tourist destination/spot
- 観光名所: famous tourist attraction
- インバウンド: inbound tourism (a buzzword in recent years)
USAGE NOTE:
With the growth of inbound tourism to Japan, 観光客 appears frequently in news. The term 訪日観光客 specifically means "tourists visiting Japan."