Tokushima Prefecture Komatsushima has a Humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light snowfall.

During the Genpei War, it was the location where Minamoto no Yoshiatsu landed in Shikoku in his campaign against the Heike clan at the Battle of Yashima.

Following the Meiji restoration, the village of Komatsushima was established within Katsuura District, Tokushima with the creation of the modern municipalities system on October 1, 1889.

In terms of national politics, the town is part of Tokushima 1st district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Komatsushima prospered in the Edo Period as one of the main ports of Shikoku, especially for the export of indigo, which was a major local product.

Agriculture (notably the production of rice, shiitake mushrooms and horticulture]] and commercial fishing are significant, but declining, contributors to the local economy.