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

[2] Per Japanese census data,[4] the population of Shimotsuma peaked around the year 2000 and has declined slightly since.

Shimotsuma has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 20 members.

In terms of national politics, the city is part of Ibaraki 1st district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

[6] Kantō Railway Jōsō Line The city is the setting of Takemoto Novala's novel Shimotsuma Monogatari (also known as Kamikaze Girls), and the manga and film of that name.