H1: The postposition ni is used, when the speaker conceptualizes the situation with the cognitive representation in which X approaches Y to be located near it.
H2: The postposition kara, with the cognitive representation in which a fictive entity moves from Y to X.
These hypotheses explain many data such as:
(a) Kaigan wa boku no ie { ?ni / kara } chikai. "The seashore is near my house."
(b) Watashitachi wa moo gooru { ni / ?kara } chikai. "We are already near the goal."
(c) Koko { ?ni / kara } gooru wa chikai. "The goal is near hear."
(d) Shoogo { ni / ?kara } chikai. "It is near noon."
(e) Aji wa chiizu { ni / ?kara } chikai. "The taste is near (i.e. similar to) cheese."