An ink jet recording apparatus for recording information by ejecting ink fluid onto a recording medium has a recording head, a head drive part, a capping unit, a first moving unit, an ink receiver and a second moving unit. The recording head having an orifice ejects an ink fluid from the orifice. The head drive part drives the recording head to eject an ink fluid. The capping part covers up the orifice of the recording head, the part being installed so as to be able to move relative to the recording head. The first moving unit moves the capping unit and the recording head relative to each other. The ink receiver receives an ink fluid ejected from the recording head. The second moving unit moves the ink receiver and the recording head relative to each other and enables this movement independent of the movement established by the first moving unit.