1One's hometown or birthplace — the place where a person was born and raised, or a place they have lived long enough to feel a strong attachment to. Roughly synonymous with 「ふるさと」.
進学を機に故郷を離れて、東京で一人暮らしを始めた。
When I went on to university, I left my hometown and started living alone in Tokyo.
年末には毎年故郷に帰って家族と過ごす。
Every year at the end of the year, I go back to my hometown to spend time with my family.
遠く離れた故郷の景色を思い出すと、懐かしい気持ちになる。
Whenever I recall the scenery of my faraway hometown, I feel a wave of nostalgia.