Kaminoyama has a Humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters.

After the start of the Meiji period, the area became part of Minamimurayama District, Yamagata Prefecture.

[citation needed] Higashine has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 15 members.

In terms of national politics, the city is part of Yamagata District 1 of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

The economy of Kaminoyama is based on agriculture (horticulture), light manufacturing (electronics, automotive components, clothing, foodstuffs), forestry and tourism.