noun
Refers to low-lying, waterlogged land, often in a valley. Common in place names and geographical descriptions.
この辺りは昔、広い谷地だった。
This area used to be a vast marshland long ago.
谷地には葦が生い茂っている。
Reeds grow thickly in the marsh.
Compound of 谷 (ya, 'valley') and 地 (chi, 'land'), with rendaku voicing of chi to ji. The reading やち is a kun'yomi compound.