The city has the distinction of having the longest name in Japan (in terms of the number of characters used), together with Ichikikushikino, Kagoshima Prefecture and Tsukubamirai.

Ibaraki Prefecture Kasumigaura has a humid continental climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall.

Kasumigaura 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 Ibaraki 6th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Kasumigaura has primarily an agricultural economy, with lotus roots, and various fruits as the major cash crops.