noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
place near the mountains; mountain side
Refers to an area or direction close to mountains, often contrasted with 海手 (sea side). Used as a noun or with の to modify another noun.
See also: 海手
この町の山手には古い神社がある。
There is an old shrine on the mountain side of this town.
山手の地域は空気がきれいだ。
The area near the mountains has clean air.
hilly section of a city; Yamate area
Specifically refers to the hilly, often upscale residential parts of a city, such as the Yamate district in Kōbe. Also written as 山の手 in this sense.
See also: 山の手
神戸の山手には異人館がたくさんある。
There are many Western-style houses in the Yamate area of Kōbe.
山手の高級住宅街に住んでいる。
I live in an upscale residential area on the hill.
She lives in the hilly part of the town.
山手 refers to the area near mountains, while 海手 refers to the area near the sea, its direct opposite.
山手 (or 山の手) refers to the hilly, upscale residential district, while 下町 refers to the low-lying, traditionally working-class downtown area, the classic contrast in Japanese cities.
Compound of 山 (mountain) and 手 (direction, side). The reading やまて is a straightforward combination of the kun'yomi readings.