Kaharudake, located in the western part of the town, is mainly made of limestone, and became famous after appearing in the novel The Gate of Youth by Hiroyuki Itsuki.

Fukuoka Prefecture Kawara has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall.

Many of the place names in the town are said to be derived from ancient Korean, and copper from mines in Kawara was used in the construction of the Nara Daibutsu.

Kawara has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 13 members.

In terms of national politics, the town is part of the Fukuoka 11th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.