Kotoura is located in central Tottori Prefecture, bordered by the Sea of Japan to the north while the southern part of the city rises to the Chūgoku Mountains.

Tottori Prefecture Kotoura is classified as a Humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall.

In the Edo period (1603–1868) a karō of Tottori Domain resided in Kotoura, and the town supported a thriving market in the Urayasu district.

Kotoura has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of eight members.

In terms of national politics, the town is part of Tottori 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.