Located in the mountainous area that divides the center of Bōsō Peninsula, Nagara has little flat terrain.

Chiba Prefecture Nagara has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall.

Nagara has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 12 members.

Together with the other municipalities of Chōsei District, Nagara contributes one member to the Chiba Prefectural Assembly.

In terms of national politics, the town is part of Chiba 11th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.