The Oirase River, which is the origin of the town's name, flows from west to east, with Lake Towada as its source.

Oirase has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 16 members.

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

The economy of Oirase is heavily dependent on agriculture, with main crops including rice, strawberries, Japanese yam and carrots.

The town has become commercially more vibrant with the construction of AEON Group, Jusco Shopping center in 1995 and the spin-off retailing this has attracted.