The Difference Between「に」 (ni) vs 「へ」 (he)｜Japanese Grammar (N5–N3)

(Joy arriving at a spot [Ni] vs. Joy heading towards a place [He])

“I go to Japan.” (Nihon ni ikimasu)
“I go to Japan.” (Nihon he ikimasu)
For verbs like “Go”, both are correct! But the nuance is different. に (Ni) is the “Destination Point,” and へ (He) is the “Direction.” Also, remember: へ is pronounced “e”! Let’s learn with Joy and Ken.

🗣 Conversation Scene

Joy is about to fly to Japan.

Joy

ケンさん、いよいよ明日、日本へ行きます！
東京に着（つ）いたら、連絡しますね。
(Ken, finally tomorrow I go “towards” Japan! When I arrive “at” Tokyo, I will contact you.)

Ken

いいですね！
「日本へ（Direction）」と「東京に（Point）」。
使い分けがとても自然ですよ。
(Nice! “Towards Japan” and “At Tokyo”. Your distinction is very natural.)

💡 Explanation

Pinpoint 🎯 or Direction ➡️?

Point 1: に (Ni) = Destination Point 🎯

Focus: Arrival / Result
Think of a Google Maps pin. It focuses on the specific spot where you arrive or exist. Use this when the destination is the main goal.

学校に行く。
(Go to school. [Arrival is key])
東京に着（つ）く。
(Arrive AT Tokyo. *Must use Ni*)
椅子（いす）に座（すわ）る。
(Sit ON the chair. *Contact point*)

Point 2: へ (He) = Direction / Heading ➡️

Focus: Journey / Movement
Think of an arrow. It focuses on heading towards a direction. It sounds a bit more vague, poetic, or grand.

未来（みらい）へ進（すす）む。
(Move towards the future. [Poetic])
北（きた）へ行く。
(Go [towards] north.)

📊 Comparison Table

Particle	Concept	Can use with Time? (3-ji ni)
に (Ni)	Destination / Contact Point 📍 (Arrive, Sit, Enter)	YES (3時に会う)
へ (He)	Direction / Heading ➡️ (Go, Turn, Face)	NO (Cannot say 3-ji he)