The area was part of ancient Mutsu Province and was ruled by the Nambu clan of Morioka Domain during the Edo period.

After the start of the Meiji period, the area became briefly part of Rikuchū Province before being transferred to Akita Prefecture in 1871.

The city of Kazuno was founded on April 1, 1972 by the merger of the towns of Hanawa, Towada, and Osarizawa and the village of Hachimantai.

Kazuno has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 18 members.

Kazuo is the main production area in Akita Prefecture for apples, pears, cherries, peaches, blueberries, quince, and prunes.