It is noted as the birthplace of the famous doctor Hideyo Noguchi, who contributed to knowledge in the fight against syphilis and yellow fever.

After the Meiji Restoration, the area was organized as part of Yama District, Fukushima Prefecture.

The town borders expanded considerably in 1955 through a merger with the villages of Iwase, Iwaho, Azauma, Nagase, Tsukinowa, Chisato, and Okinajima.

Primary agricultural crops include buckwheat and rice, along with tomatoes, dairy farming and miso.

The town has one public high school operated by the Fukushima Prefectural Board of Education.