The Difference Between “Nihon de Ryokō Shimasu” and “Nihon e Ryokō Shimasu”
“Both phrases indicate a place, but what’s the difference between ‘Nihon de’ (日本で) and ‘Nihon e’ (日本へ)?”
“Does ‘Nihon de Ryokō Shimasu’ (日本で旅行します) mean traveling within Japan, while ‘Nihon e Ryokō Shimasu’ (日本へ旅行します) means traveling from abroad to Japan?”
“How should I distinguish between ‘de’ (で) and ‘e’ (へ) in different situations?”
At first glance, “Nihon de Ryokō Shimasu” (日本で旅行します) and “Nihon e Ryokō Shimasu” (日本へ旅行します) might sound similar, but there is a subtle difference between these two expressions. “Nihon de Ryokō Shimasu” emphasizes the activities you do within Japan, while “Nihon e Ryokō Shimasu” focuses on the direction of travel, typically from abroad to Japan. This distinction can be confusing for beginners in Japanese learning.
In this article, Eri-san from the JPLT Online Japanese Language School explains the difference between “Nihon de Ryokō Shimasu” and “Nihon e Ryokō Shimasu” with easy-to-understand examples for beginners!
Difference Between “Nihon de Ryokō Shimasu” and “Nihon e Ryokō Shimasu”
Both phrases indicate the act of traveling, but they carry slightly different nuances:
- Nihon de Ryokō Shimasu (日本で旅行します):
- Meaning: Traveling within Japan, focusing on the location where the activity of traveling takes place.
- Example: Natsuyasumi ni wa, Nihon de ryokō shimasu. Onsen ni haittari, oishii mono o tabetari shitai desu. (夏休みには、日本で旅行します。温泉に入ったり、おいしいものを食べたりしたいです。)
- (During summer vacation, I will travel within Japan. I want to go to hot springs and eat delicious food.)
- Features: Emphasizes the location where the travel activities occur.
- Nihon e Ryokō Shimasu (日本へ旅行します):
- Meaning: Traveling to Japan, typically from abroad. Emphasizes the direction of travel toward Japan.
- Example: Rainen wa, Nihon e ryokō shimasu. Fujisan ni noboru no ga yume desu. (来年は、日本へ旅行します。富士山に登るのが夢です。)
- (Next year, I will travel to Japan. It is my dream to climb Mount Fuji.)
- Features: Emphasizes the direction of travel or destination.
A Simple Summary
| Expression | Nuance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Nihon de Ryokō Shimasu (日本で旅行します) | Traveling within Japan (emphasizes location) | Natsuyasumi ni wa, Nihon de ryokō shimasu. (夏休みには、日本で旅行します。) |
| Nihon e Ryokō Shimasu (日本へ旅行します) | Traveling to Japan (emphasizes destination) | Rainen wa, Nihon e ryokō shimasu. (来年は、日本へ旅行します。) |
Which Should You Use?
Although both phrases make sense, choosing between them depending on the situation will make your Japanese sound more natural:
- Emphasizing location: Nihon de Ryokō Shimasu (日本で旅行します)
- Emphasizing movement or destination: Nihon e Ryokō Shimasu (日本へ旅行します)
Other Expressions
- Nihon o Ryokō Suru (日本を旅行する): This is another common expression, similar in meaning to “Nihon de Ryokō Shimasu.”
- Nihon ni Ryokō ni Iku (日本に旅行に行く): Similar in meaning to “Nihon e Ryokō Shimasu,” but slightly more colloquial.
Examples in Use
- Nihon de kankō o tanoshimitai. (日本で観光を楽しみたい。) – (I want to enjoy sightseeing in Japan.)
- Nihon e iku no ga tanoshimi desu. (日本へ行くのが楽しみです。) – (I’m excited about going to Japan.)
- Natsuyasumi ni wa, kazoku de Nihon de kyanpu o suru yotei desu. (夏休みには、家族で日本でキャンプをする予定です。) – (During summer vacation, my family plans to camp in Japan.)
- Raigetsu, tomodachi to Nihon e ryokō ni iku koto ni shimashita. (来月、友達と日本へ旅行に行くことにしました。) – (Next month, I’ve decided to travel to Japan with my friends.)
Conclusion
While both “Nihon de Ryokō Shimasu” (日本で旅行します) and “Nihon e Ryokō Shimasu” (日本へ旅行します) involve traveling, the nuance differs. One emphasizes location, and the other emphasizes movement or destination. By understanding these subtle differences, you can use the correct expression based on what you want to highlight in your conversation.
Want to Advance Your Japanese Learning Further?
Continuous practice is key to mastering Japanese. Try to engage with various examples to internalize these differences. The experienced Japanese instructors at JPLT Online Japanese Language School are here to support you in your learning journey. You can ask questions freely during one-on-one lessons and improve your understanding of the language.
