![(Alt Text: Joy at Tokyo Station [Ni] vs. Joy heading towards Mt. Fuji [He])](https://jplt-dialogplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Gemini_Generated_Image_cm0ehccm0ehccm0e.png)
(Joy at Tokyo Station [Ni] vs. Joy heading towards Mt. Fuji [He])
“I go to Japan.”
In Japanese, you can say 日本（にほん）に 行（い）く or 日本（にほん）へ 行（い）く.
They are very similar, but they have a different “focus.” One is about the goal, and the other is about the journey. Let’s learn with Joy and Ken!
🗣 Conversation Scene
Joy is talking about her trip to Hokkaido.
Joy
ケンさん、来週（らいしゅう）から 北海道（ほっかいどう）に 行（い）きます！
(Ken, I’m going to Hokkaido starting next week!)
(Ken, I’m going to Hokkaido starting next week!)
Ken
いいですね！北（きた）へ 行（い）くのは 涼（すず）しくて 最高（さいこう）ですよ。
(Nice! Going “towards” the North is cool and great.)
(Nice! Going “towards” the North is cool and great.)
💡 Explanation
Point 1: に (Ni) = Destination / Arrival Point
Focuses on the end point. It’s like a pin on a map.
Verbs often used: 行く (go), 来る (come), 帰る (return), 着く (arrive).
- 学校（がっこう）に 行（い）きます。
(I go to school. [School is my destination]) - うち に 帰（かえ）ります。
(I return home.)
Point 2: へ (He) = Direction / Heading towards
Focuses on the direction or the path. It feels more “poetic” or “moving towards” something.
*Pronounced as “e” (like egg), not “he”.
- 駅（えき）へ 向（む）かいます。
(I am heading towards the station.) - 世界（せかい）へ 飛（と）び出（だ）そう！
(Let’s fly out to the world!)
📊 Comparison Table
🚧 Important Rule
❌ Impossible: 3時（じ）へ 会（あ）いましょう。
✅ Correct: 3時（じ）に 会（あ）いましょう。
(You CANNOT use “He” for specific points in time. Only “Ni” works for time.)
🔥 Practice Quiz
Choose the correct particle. (Tap to check!)
Keep practicing with JPLT!
