[2] Ōtama is located in north-central Fukushima prefecture, sandwiched between the cities of Kōriyama and Nihonmatsu.

Ōtama has a humid continental climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by mild summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall.

After the Meiji Restoration, it was organized as part of Nakadōri region of Iwaki Province, administratively within Adachi District.

The villages of Oyama and Tamanoi were established on April 1, 1899 with the creation of the modern municipalities system.

Ōtama is not served by any passenger railway service, although the Tohoku Main Line passes through the village.