1.
among the mountains, mountain area, mountainous region
An area surrounded by or nestled between mountains. Used to describe remote, rural locations in mountainous terrain.
Usage
Often used with 部 as 山間部 (mountainous area/region), especially in news, weather forecasts, and geographic descriptions. Evokes remoteness and rural settings.
Pronunciation
Also read as やまあい, which has the same meaning but a more colloquial, native-Japanese feel. The Sino-Japanese reading さんかん is more common in formal and written contexts.