Hinohara lies in the mountainous upper reaches of the Akigawa, a tributary of the Tama River.

In the post-Meiji Restoration cadastral reform of July 22, 1878, the area became part of Nishitama District in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Hinohara has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral village council of nine members.

Hinohara, collectively with the municipalities of Akiruno, Fussa, Hamura, Hinode, Mizuho and Okutama, contributes two members to the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly.

In terms of national politics, the village is part of Tokyo 25th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

In addition, Hinohara has many guest houses, inns, campsites, fishing grounds, hot springs, souvenir shops, and restaurants.

Scheduled bus service is available from Musashi-Itsukaichi Station on the JR East Itsukaichi Line.