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.
川岸 and 河岸（かがん）both mean riverbank, but 河岸 read as かがん is the more formal or literary term, often used in written descriptions.
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.
riverside fish market
evening fish market
opposite shore; other side of the river
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.