Located in central Ibaraki Prefecture, south of prefectural capital of Mito, Ibaraki is located in the flatlands near the Pacific Ocean, and almost encompasses Lake Hinuma, the 30th largest body of freshwater in Japan.

[2] Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Ibaraki has remained relatively steadily for the past 40 years.

The town was set to merge with Mito, on December 8, 2007, but following the election of a new mayor in April 2007, these plans were abandoned.

Ibaraki has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 16 members.

In terms of national politics, the town is part of Ibaraki 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.