へ
To, Toward
Structure
Explanation
The particle へ is used to mark a destination, indicating the direction of movement towards a specific location or person. While へ and に can often be used in the same way, へ carries a subtle nuance. It highlights the path or journey toward the destination, whereas に focuses more directly on the final point of arrival. へ is always placed directly after the noun that functions as the destination.
- 彼は国へ帰る。He will return to his country.
- 来週京都に行く。I will go to Kyoto next week.
In the sentences above, the distinction might seem minor. However, へ implies a sense of traveling through the space between the start and end points, while に simply marks the final location. This nuance is what makes phrases like '[place] へ ようこそ' feel welcoming and polite, as it acknowledges the guest's effort in traveling to that place.
- 北海道へようこそ!Welcome to Hokkaido!
- 私のブログへようこそ。Welcome to my blog.
When used with something like a blog or a store, this expression conveys appreciation for the 'journey' the person took to arrive there—in other words, 'thank you for choosing to visit us out of all the other options available'.
Examples
東京へようこそ。
Welcome to Tokyo.
そっちへ?
Toward there?
図書館へ行く。
To go to the library.
国へ帰る。
To return to one's country.
出口へ進む。
To proceed toward the exit.
車で会社へ行きます。
To go to the office by car.
日本へようこそ。
Welcome to Japan.
山へ行きます。
To go to the mountains.
駅へ歩く。
To walk to the station.
先生の研究室へ行きます。
To go to the professor's office.
そこの店へ行く。
To go to that store there.
私は自転車で郵便局へ行きます。
I am going to the post office by bicycle.