Obira is located in the Rumoi jurisdiction in northern Hokkaido, bordered by the Sea of Japan to the west.

Obira 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 the Hokkaidō 10th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Flowers such as bellflowers have been actively cultivated in Obira due to the cool climate, and Japanese black beef is also shipped.

After the closure of the Japan National Railway Teshio Line in 1987, the town has not had any passenger rail service.

Legend has it that this figure was formed from a bull, a melon, an octopus, two scallops, two fishes and a rice bowl on 12 August 2014.