Japanese word

上京

Pronunciation

Romajijōkyō

Meaning

  • noungoing to Tokyo

Example

来月、仕事で上京します。rai getsu shi goto de jō kyō shi ma su

I am going to Tokyo for work next month.

Illustration for 上京 (going to Tokyo)

More examples

学生時代に一度上京しました。gaku sei ji dai ni ichi do jō kyō shi ma shi ta

I went to Tokyo once when I was a student.

Core concept

Describes traveling from another place to the national capital, especially Tokyo, often for a particular purpose.

Common phrases

  • 初めての上京haji me te no jō kyō

    first trip to Tokyo

  • 上京の予定jō kyō no yo tei

    plans to go to Tokyo

  • 上京を決めるjō kyō o ki me ru

    decide to go to Tokyo

Definition in Japanese

地方から東京へ行くこと。chi hō ka ra tō kyō e i ku ko to

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 上京 (jōkyō) combines 上 (jō, "up") and 京 (kyō, "capital"), reflecting movement toward the capital.

Usage tips

  • In modern conversation, 上京 (jōkyō) usually means traveling to Tokyo from elsewhere, often for work, study, or an event, and does not by itself mean moving there permanently.

Related words

  • 上京者jōkyōshaperson who moved to Tokyonoun

Word lists with this word