Rifu is located in east-central Miyagi Prefecture, bordered by Sendai metropolis to the south and by Matsushima Bay to the east.

The area of present-day Rifu was part of ancient Mutsu Province, and has been settled since at least the Jōmon period by the Emishi people.

With the establishment of Tagajō in the Nara period, Rifu was part of the central Yamato colonization area in the region.

Rifu has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 18 members.

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