Located in the northwestern portion of Gunma Prefecture, Nakanojō is surrounded by high peaks of over 1000 m in height, with the Agatsuma River passing through the center of town from west to east.

With the creation of the modern municipalities system after the Meiji Restoration on April 1, 1889, the town of Nakanojō was created within Agatsuma District of Gunma Prefecture.

Nakanojō has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 15 members.

In terms of national politics, the town is part of Gunma 5th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

The economy of Nakanojō is heavily dependent on seasonal tourism primarily in connection with its onsen hot spring resorts.

JR East – Agatsuma Line The main draw of tourists to Nakanojō are the onsen (natural hot spring) resorts.

When an automobile drives at 40 km/h over a special melody road section of Japan National Route 353 passing through Nakanojō, the vibrations will sound the tune "Always With Me" (Japanese title: いつも何度でも, Itsumo nando demo) from the feature animation Spirited Away.