[11] The town of Iwakuni was established on April 1, 1889, within Kuga District, Yamaguchi with the creation of the modern municipalities system.

Iwakuni has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 30 members.

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

[12] Pulp is also produced in Nippon Paper's Iwakuni mill using a relatively new process called “methane fermentation treatment” which requires almost no energy.

The renkon (lotus root) is the principal agricultural product and is cultivated in the Hasuda field which is in the Ozu area, located near Minami Iwakuni station.

One high school, Iwakuni-Kogyo, is the alma mater of Shinji Mori who was a Major League Baseball player with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2005.

[16] The team's ball park, Yuu Baseball Ground is located approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi) southwest of central Iwakuni in the Yū neighborhood.

Tourists from both Japan and overseas who visit Hiroshima and Miyajima often extend their travels to include Iwakuni.

[2] In Japanese folklore[citation needed], if a white snake is found in your home it is said to bring good fortune.

They are gentle ivory white snakes with ruby colored eyes which can only[citation needed] be found in concentration at Iwakuni.

Iwakuni Castle (Momoyama Nanban-zukuri),[19] as well as the preserved temples and buildings at the foot of the hill, provide a glimpse into old Japan.

Iwakuni Castle is situated at the top of Mount Shiroyama, and can be reached on foot or by cable car.

Located near the beginning of a mountain trail, many visitors come each autumn to view the colorful leaves on the many maple trees here.

The festival includes a parade across the bridge called the “Sankin-koutai” Feudal Lords’ Procession featuring locals dressed in historic samurai costumes.

However, according to the Liberal Democratic Party, this day would “encourage public reflection of the turbulent 63 years of Hirohito's reign, rather than glorify the emperor himself”.

Visitors to Iwakuni may also wish to sample the town's special local version of sushi, which is made in a square mold.

There are also many "sushi-go-rounds" where sushi makes its way around the restaurant for patrons to pick and choose from via a moving belt.

Iwakuni Chagayu [ja] is a tea-flavored rice porridge originally created about 400 years ago by Hiroie Kikkawa as an inexpensive means of providing food for his subordinates.

The Ishi ningyo is a hand-made stone doll which is made from the nests of an insect called “ningyoutobikera” which are found in the rivers in Iwakuni.

[2] Kikkougama Iwakuni-yaki is ceramic ware that was used during the time of the Iwakuni han about 300 years ago that is still produced today.

The area was all farmland and villages until the Japanese government bought a large portion of it in 1938, with the view of establishing a naval air station.

When World War II started, the Iwakuni air station was used as a training and defense base.

In September 1943, a branch of the Etajima Naval Academy was established here, with approximately 1,000 cadets undergoing training in the Basic, Junior and Senior Officer's schools at any one time.

[26] Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni is also shared with the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force.