[1] The total area of the town is 448.84 square kilometres (173.30 sq mi).. Misato is located in northern Miyazaki Prefecture in the steep Kyushu Mountains.

The villages of Kitagō, Nangō and Saigō, within Higashiusuki District, Miyazaki was established on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system.

Misato has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 11 members.

Misato, collectively with the villages of Morotsuka and Shiiba and town of Kadogawa contributes one member to the Miyazaki Prefectural Assembly.

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