also: ほっこく
noun
northern country
Refers to a country located in the north, often with connotations of cold climate or snow.
彼は北国で生まれ育った。
He was born and raised in a northern country.
noun
northern provinces; northern regions; northland
Often used for the northern parts of Japan, especially areas along the Sea of Japan known for heavy snowfall.
In the northern regions, it snows a lot in winter.