Refers to the land along a river. Often used in contrast with 川岸 (かわぎし), which is more common in everyday speech.
See also: 河岸 (かわぎし)
Cherry trees are planted along the riverbank.
riverside market; fish market by the river
Historically referred to a market set up on a riverbank, especially a fish market. Now somewhat dated, but still understood in historical or local contexts.
Slang-like extension meaning a place for activities, often used in set phrases like 河岸を変える (change venues). Not used as a general word for 'place'.
In the Edo period, fish auctions were held at the riverside market.
Let's change venues and go to the after-party.
河岸 is a more formal, technical word for a riverbank, whereas 岸 is the plain, everyday term for any shore.
河岸 refers to the bank of a river, whereas 沿岸 refers to the coast of a sea or large lake, so the two are easily confused because both end in 岸.
Standard kanji spelling for all senses.
Kana spelling is sometimes used, especially in informal writing or when the kanji is not needed.
Compound of 河 (river) and 岸 (bank, shore). The market sense derives from the historical practice of setting up markets on riverbanks. The 'venue' sense is a slang extension from the market meaning.