hilly upscale residential area
Refers to a hilly, often upscale residential section of a city, typically contrasted with 下町 (downtown/low-lying areas).
神戸の山の手にはおしゃれなカフェが多い。
There are many stylish cafes in Kobe's hilly residential area.
山の手と下町では雰囲気がまったく違う。
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)
山の手線は東京の主要な環状線です。
The Yamanote Line is a major loop line in Tokyo.
彼女は山の手の出身で、育ちがいい。
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)
この辺りは山の手で、空気がきれいだ。
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.