Throughout his education, from primary through to tertiary level, Umehara was by his own account an indifferent student. He was in his primary school years somewhat of a daydreamer, preferring play to study. After graduating from Tokai High School in Nagoya, he gained entry in 1942 to the Hiroshima Higher Normal School, but withdrew after only two months, and, in the following year, he managed to obtain a place at the Hachikō (Eighth Rank) High School in Nagoya, under its Principal Itō Nikichi (伊藤仁吉).
Throughout his education, from elementary to advanced levels, Umehara was by his own account an apathetic student. He was in his early school years somewhat of a daydreamer, preferring leisure activities to academic pursuits. After graduating from Tokai High School in Nagoya, he gained admission in 1942 to the Hiroshima Higher Normal School, but withdrew after only two months, and, in the following year, he successfully secured a place at the Hachikō (Eighth Rank) High School in Nagoya, under its Principal Itō Nikichi.