Ono is located almost in the center of the Harima Plain, on the bank of the Kakogawa River.. Hyōgo Prefecture Ono has a Humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall.

The village of Ono was established within Katō District with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889.

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

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

[citation needed] In 1976, it was designated as a traditional craft by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry as "Banshu Soroban".