Kashiwara is located about 20 kilometres (12 mi) from central Osaka on the Yamato River,which separates it from neighboring Fujiidera.

The northwestern part of the city is relatively flat, but the terrain rises to the east where the Ikoma Mountains and Mount Kongō form the border with Nara Prefecture.

During the Edo Period, the area was mostly tenryō territory directly under control of the Tokugawa shogunate due to its strategic location.

[4] Kashiwara has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 16 members.

In terms of national politics, the city is part of Osaka 14th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

The modern economy is centered on light manufacturing and the city is also increasingly becoming a commuter town for the Osaka metropolis.