Tochigi Prefecture Sakura has a Humid continental climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall.

The city of Sakura was established on March 28, 2005 with the merger of the towns of Kitsuregawa and Ujiie (both from Shioya District).

Sakura has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city assembly of 18 members.

Sakura, together with the towns of Shioya and Takanezawa collectively contributes two members to the Tochigi Prefectural Assembly.

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