Both に and へ can mark a destination with 行く. Learn where that overlap ends, and avoid treating one as wrong just because the other is also possible.
Two possible destination markers
東京に行きます and 東京へ行きます can both describe going to Tokyo. に presents the destination as a target; へ points in a direction. In many everyday travel statements, the difference is small enough that both answers should be accepted.
The overlap does not extend to every use of に. An exact time in 三時に出ます takes に. The location of existence in 学校にいます also takes に. Neither is a direction of movement, so replacing it with へ would not express the intended relationship.
Read for the requested role
These questions accept both destination particles where appropriate. Where the prompt specifically asks for the direction marker pronounced e, write へ. This distinction lets you test the grammar without inventing a single correct answer to an ambiguous sentence.
Examples to read before you practise
Japanese | Reading / English |
|---|---|
東京に行きます。 | I am going to Tokyo. |
東京へ行きます。 | I am heading to Tokyo. |
三時に学校を出ます。 | I leave school at three. |
Try six questions
Try these self-check questions from memory, then compare your answers with the explanations. For automatic checking and saved progress, open the related practice after this article.
学校（ ）行きます。 Fill a destination particle; either usual option is accepted.
三時（ ）出ます。 Mark the exact time.
駅（ ）います。 State where you are.
Write the direction particle pronounced e.
京都（ ）帰ります。 Fill a destination particle.
会社（ ）働きます。 Mark where working happens.
Answer key and explanations
に / へ — Both mark a destination with 行きます.
に — An exact time uses に, not directional へ.
に — The location of existence takes に.
へ — へ is pronounced e as a direction particle.
に / へ — に and へ are both possible with the return destination.
で — The action location takes で.
Keep learning
Related lessons
Try what you have just read
Recognise the pattern, write an answer from memory, then use it in a short reading. Your existing progress carries over.
Open the three-step lessonSources
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