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

According to the Nihon Shoki and Kojiki, this is the place where Empress Jingū gave birth to Emperor Ōjin on her way back from the conquest of Korea.

Umi has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 14 members.

In terms of national politics, the town is part of the Fukuoka 4th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

After that, an industrial parks were established; however, the main focus of the local economy is on agriculture, forestry, and tourism, with an increasing percentage of the working population commuting to nearby Fukuoka.