hilly upscale residential area
Refers to a hilly, often upscale residential section of a city, typically contrasted with 下町 (downtown/low-lying areas).
There are many stylish cafes in Kobe's hilly residential area.
The atmosphere is completely different between the hilly residential area and the downtown area.
Yamanote (western Tokyo)
Specifically the hilly residential section of western Tokyo, including Yotsuya, Aoyama, Koishikawa, Hongo, Ichigaya, Akasaka, Azabu, and surrounding areas. Often contrasted with 下町 (Shitamachi).
See also: 下町 (したまち)
The Yamanote Line is a major loop line in Tokyo.
She is from the Yamanote area and has a refined upbringing.
place near the mountains
A general term for an area close to mountains; less common than the Tokyo-specific sense. See also 山手 (やまて).
See also: 山手 (やまて)
This area is near the mountains, so the air is clean.
下町 refers to the low-lying, traditionally working-class districts of a city, while 山の手 refers to the hilly, upscale residential areas historically associated with the elite.
refined Tokyo uptown speech
Standard spelling; widely used in news and general writing.
Irregular okurigana usage; less common but still encountered.
Compound of 山 (yama, 'mountain') + の (no, possessive particle) + 手 (te, 'direction, side'), literally 'mountain side'. The Tokyo-specific sense arose from the hilly western districts of the city.