Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'going to the capital' depends on context. The most common phrase is 上京する (jōkyō suru), which specifically means going to Tokyo. For other capitals, use 首都に行く (shuto ni iku). Note that 上京 is strongly associated with moving to or visiting Tokyo from elsewhere in Japan.
Expressing the act of going to Tokyo, often with the nuance of moving there or visiting from the provinces.
He went to Tokyo to attend university.
A straightforward, neutral way to say 'go to Tokyo'. It lacks the specific nuance of 上京 but is perfectly natural.
週末に東京に行く予定です。
I plan to go to Tokyo this weekend.
Means 'currently in Tokyo' (having come from elsewhere). Used to describe a temporary stay.
彼は今、上京中です。
He is currently in Tokyo.
Expressing the act of going to the capital of a country or region other than Tokyo.
The general phrase for 'go to the capital'. Use this for any capital city except Tokyo (where 上京 is preferred).
来週、韓国の首都ソウルに行きます。
Next week I'm going to Seoul, the capital of South Korea.
Historically, Kyoto was the capital. Use this when specifically referring to going to Kyoto, especially in historical contexts.
修学旅行で京都に行った。
I went to Kyoto on a school trip.
Expressing relocation to the capital city, often for work or study.
Specifically means moving to Tokyo to live. Combines 上京 (going to Tokyo) with 住む (to live).
彼は就職のために上京して住み始めた。
He moved to Tokyo for work and started living there.
General phrase for moving to a capital city. Use for any capital, including Tokyo if you want to avoid the specific nuance of 上京.
家族で首都に引っ越すことになりました。
We've decided to move to the capital as a family.
上京 specifically means going to Tokyo. Using it for other capitals like London or Beijing would be incorrect. Use 首都に行く instead.
✕ ロンドンに上京する
Incorrect: 'going to the capital London' using 上京
○ ロンドンに行く / 首都ロンドンに行く
Correct: going to London / going to the capital London
If you are already in Tokyo, you wouldn't use 上京 to mean 'go to Tokyo'. It's used when traveling from another part of Japan to Tokyo. For simple movement within Tokyo, use 東京に行く.