Translation guide
Expresses the action of departing from the capital city, typically Tokyo in modern contexts or Kyoto in historical contexts. Japanese uses specific verbs and phrases depending on the nuance of departure, such as leaving for a trip, moving away, or departing permanently.
To say that someone is leaving the capital city, often for a trip or temporary absence.
A general and natural way to say 'leave the capital'. 都 (みやこ) is a slightly literary/formal word for capital, but commonly used in set phrases. 離れる means 'to leave' or 'to be away from'.
彼は仕事で都を離れている。
He is away from the capital on business.
Uses 首都 (しゅと), the standard word for 'capital city'. Slightly more formal or news-like than 都.
首相が明日、首都を離れる予定だ。
The prime minister is scheduled to leave the capital tomorrow.
If the capital is specifically Tokyo, this is the most direct and common way to say it. Replace 東京 with the actual city name if needed.
週末に東京を離れて、温泉に行く。
I'll leave Tokyo for the weekend and go to a hot spring.
To express that someone is relocating their residence away from the capital.
去る means 'to leave' with a nuance of departure, often permanently or for a long time. 都を去る is a common phrase for leaving the capital for good.
彼は家族とともに都を去った。
He left the capital with his family.
引っ越す means 'to move (house)'. This explicitly states moving out of the capital.
来月、首都から地方に引っ越します。
Next month I'm moving from the capital to the countryside.
Used in historical or literary contexts, often referring to Kyoto as the ancient capital.
京 (きょう) is a traditional name for Kyoto, the ancient capital. Used in historical dramas or literature.
武士たちは京を離れ、故郷へ帰った。
The samurai left the capital and returned to their hometowns.
A historical term meaning 'fleeing the capital' or 'exile from the capital', often used for nobles or defeated warriors. Has a dramatic nuance.
源氏は都落ちを余儀なくされた。
Genji was forced to flee the capital.
離れる (はなれる) is a general verb for 'to leave' or 'to be separated from', and can be used for temporary or permanent departure. 去る (さる) implies a more definitive or emotional departure, often used when leaving a place for good or in literary contexts.
In modern Japanese, it's often clearer to name the city (e.g., 東京を離れる) rather than using 都 or 首都, unless the context already makes it obvious. 都 can sound slightly poetic or old-fashioned.