Hakui occupies the southwestern neck of Noto Peninsula and is bordered by the Sea of Japan on west, and Toyama Prefecture to the east.

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

The ichinomiya of Noto province, Keta Taisha is located in Hakui, and shrine legend asserts that this is the location at which Ōkuninushi landed with 300 of his folders from Izumo to subdue the inhabitants of Noto Peninsula during the reign of the demi-legendary 8th Emperor Kōgen or 10th Emperor Sujin.

This name comes from an ancient legend which tells of Prince Iwatsuku (the son of Emperor Kōgen) killing a monstrous bird which plagued the area.

Hakui has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 14 members.