Kakogawa located in southern Hyōgo prefecture, in the eastern part of the Harima Plain with central city area spreading over the east bank of the Kako River estuary.

A large portion of city is reclaimed land from the Seto Inland Sea and is mostly devoted to heavy industry.

Hyōgo Prefecture Kakogawa has a Humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall.

The area of Kakogawa is part of ancient Harima Province and is the location of numerous Kofun period burial mounds.

Kakogawa has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 31 members.

In terms of national politics, the city is part of Hyōgo 10th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.