Is 上京 appropriate in a setting where Tokyo doesn't exist?


Does it make sense to use 上京 in a fantasy setting where the geography is
totally different from our world? In my mind this word is very strongly
associated with Tokyo. I know that according to some dictionaries it can
technically refer to moving to any capital city, but still I can't help but
feel that it sounds slightly odd in other contexts. Did I get the wrong
impression?

Here is a [scene](https://i.stack.imgur.com/7Hp1b.png) from ハクメイとミコチ that
inspired this question.




In countries where there is a definite, singular seat of government, power,
and influence, I cannot see why 上京 couldn't be used to mean 'going to the
Capitol'.

When used to refer to events that took place before 1868, 上京 would mean going
to the then-capitol of Kyoto. It is not so bound to Tokyo that it cannot be
used to refer to another current capitol city, fictional or otherwise (Emerald
City, Manila, etc).

As you likely know, this only refers to traveling from within said country to
that country's capitol.

Examples of usage referring to places other than Tokyo:

<https://togetter.com/li/331132>
<http://s.webry.info/sp/kalayaan.at.webry.info/200908/article_4.html>
<https://ameblo.jp/grieketto08/entry-11090399498.html>

As your story would supposedly take place in a setting which does not include
Tokyo, there should be no conflict or confusion.




In countries where there is a definite, singular seat of government, power,
and influence, I cannot see why 上京 couldn't be used to mean 'going to the
Capitol'.

When used to refer to events that took place before 1868, 上京 would mean going
to the then-capitol of Kyoto. It is not so bound to Tokyo that it cannot be
used to refer to another current capitol city, fictional or otherwise (Emerald
City, Manila, etc).

As you likely know, this only refers to traveling from within said country to
that country's capitol.

Examples of usage referring to places other than Tokyo:

<https://togetter.com/li/331132>
<http://s.webry.info/sp/kalayaan.at.webry.info/200908/article_4.html>
<https://ameblo.jp/grieketto08/entry-11090399498.html>

As your story would supposedly take place in a setting which does not include
Tokyo, there should be no conflict or confusion.

