noun
Refers to the land alongside a body of water such as a river, lake, or pond. Often used in literary or descriptive contexts.
湖のほとりを散歩した。
I took a walk along the shore of the lake.
川のほとりに小さな家が建っている。
A small house stands on the bank of the river.
Derived from classical Japanese; the exact origin is uncertain, but it has long been used to refer to the edge of a body of water.