noun
hometown; birthplace; native region
Refers to the place where one was born or grew up. Similar to 国元 (くにもと), but 国方 is less common and may carry a slightly more regional or traditional flavor.
See also: 国元
彼は国方に帰って農業を始めた。
He returned to his hometown and started farming.
国方の方言が懐かしい。
I miss the dialect of my native region.
地元 refers to the local area or community where one currently lives or is from, and is more commonly used in everyday conversation.
Compound of 国 (くに, 'country, region') and 方 (かた, 'direction, side'). The reading くにがた is a rendaku form. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it has been used to refer to one's native region or hometown.