Examples
Meaning
に and へ can both be used with movement verbs such as 行きます, 来ます, and 帰ります. に often focuses on the destination, while へ focuses on the direction toward that place.
Formation
Put に or へ after a place or direction noun. The particle へ is written as へ but pronounced e when used as a particle.
Usage
Use に when the destination feels clear or important. Use へ when you want to express movement toward a place or direction. At N5 level, both can often appear with common movement verbs, but their focus is slightly different.
Nuance
学校に行きます sounds like going to school as the destination. 学校へ行きます sounds like moving toward school. The difference is small in many beginner sentences, but it helps explain why both particles exist.
Comparison
に has more uses than へ. You can use に for time and existence, such as 七時に起きます and ここに本があります. へ is mainly used for direction, so it cannot replace に in those examples.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is reading the particle へ as he. Another mistake is using へ for time or existence, such as 七時へ起きます or ここへ本があります. Use に in those cases.