noun
General term for a geographical area, administrative district, or locality. Often used in contrast to the capital or central areas.
この地方は冬に雪が多く降ります。
This region gets a lot of snow in winter.
関東
I checked the weather forecast for the Kanto district.
noun
the country; countryside; rural areas
Refers to areas outside major cities, often with a nuance of being provincial or less urban. Contrasts with 中央 (the center/capital).
See also: 中央
彼は都会を離れて地方で暮らすことにした。
He decided to leave the city and live in the countryside.
地方の活性化が重要な課題だ。
Revitalizing rural areas is an important issue.
noun
civilian society
Obsolete Imperial Japanese Army jargon for civilian society, as opposed to military life.
旧日本軍では、軍を離れた社会を「地方」と呼ぶことがあった。
In the former Imperial Japanese Army, civilian society was sometimes referred to as 地方.