海沿い

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 海沿い (うみぞい) is a noun-like expression for a place beside or extending along the sea.
• Basic usage: 海沿いの modifies a noun such as a road, while 海沿いに indicates a location along the coast.
  • 朝は海沿いの道をゆっくり散歩した。 — I took a slow walk along the coastal road in the morning.
  • 海沿いに並ぶ家々へ潮風が届く。 — Sea breezes reach the houses lining the coast.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Seashore and coastal alignment
  • 海辺 often points to the seaside itself, whereas 海沿い emphasizes that roads or houses run or stand along the coastline.