also: ほっこく
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.
northern provinces; northern regions; northland
Often used for the northern parts of Japan, especially areas along the Sea of Japan known for heavy snowfall.
北国では冬になると雪がたくさん降る。
In the northern regions, it snows a lot in winter.
He was raised in a northern region, so he's used to snow.
Winters in northern regions are very cold and harsh.
The snow festival is an event unique to northern regions.