Nantan is located in the southern part of the Tamba region in central Kyoto Prefecture.

The area of the modern town of Nantan was within ancient Tanba Province, and may have been the site of the provincial capital in the Nara period.

Nantan has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 22 members.

In terms of national politics, the city is part of Kyoto 4th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Miyama Kayabuki-no-Sato is a small village that consists of cottages made with thatched (kayabuki) roofs and showcase the classic and traditional scenery of Japan.