The southern part of the city is formed by the volcanoes and volcanic plateaus of Mount Kirishima and the Ebino Plateau, and is designated as Kirishima-Yaku National Park.

The area of Ebino was part of ancient Hyūga Province, and during the Edo period was completely within the borders of Satsuma Domain.

The villages of Iino, Kakuto and Masayuki within Nishimorokata District, Miyazaki were established on May 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system.

Ebino has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 15 members.

In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Miyazaki 1st district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Ebino produces a wide range of food products, from shōchū to sweets, tea, honey, mushrooms, chicken and pork.