person from the provinces; person living outside major metropolitan areas
Colloquial term contrasting with 都会人 (とかいじん, city person). Often carries a slightly self-deprecating or rural connotation.
See also: 都会人 (とかいじん)
As someone from the provinces, I was surprised by the crowds in Tokyo.
彼は地方民だが、都会の生活にもすぐ慣れた。
He's from a rural area, but he quickly got used to city life.
Compound of 地方 (ちほう, region, countryside) and 民 (みん, people, residents).