neighboring districts; surrounding countryside
Refers to the rural areas or villages near a town or city; somewhat literary or old-fashioned, but still used in descriptions of local history or geography.
This town is known for its market, which draws people from the surrounding countryside.
There is a bus that goes around the neighboring villages.
surrounding country; neighboring villages
Compound of 近 (kin, 'near') and 郷 (gō, 'village' or 'countryside'). The reading is on'yomi.