Shiojiri is located in central Nagano Prefecture, in the southern end of the Matsumoto Basin.

Shiojiri annexed the villages of Kataoka, Hirooka, Souga and Chikumazi on April 1, 1959 and was elevated to city status.

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

The economy of Shiojiri is largely agricultural, with grapes, apples, pears, and wine production as major components.

Companies that have manufacturing operations in Shiojiri include Nidec Copal, Sanko, Keio Juuki Seibi, Kissei Pharmaceutical, and Resonac Ceramics.