Uken occupies the southern portion of the west coast of Amami Ōshima, facing the East China Sea.

About 90% of the village is mountainous, and includes Uwandake, with a height of 694 metres (2,277 ft).

Precipitation is high throughout the year, but is highest in the months of May, June and September.

As with all of the Amami Islands, the village came under the administration of the United States from July 1, 1946 to December 25, 1953.

In 2006, the village government expressed an interest to be considered as a potential location for the disposal of high level radioactive wastes to the Nuclear Waste Management Organization of Japan, much to the outrage of many inhabitants.