Ryūgasaki is located in southern Ibaraki Prefecture, in the low-lying flatlands south of Lake Kasumigaura.

Ibaraki Prefecture Ryūgasaki has a Humid continental climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light snowfall.

This area was transferred to Ibaraki Prefecture in 1875 The town of Ryūgasaki was created with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889.

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

In terms of national politics, the city is part of Ibaraki 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.