Chiba Prefecture Sodegaura has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall.

Sodegaura is mentioned in the Nara period chronicle Kojiki in connection with the Yamatotakeru mythology, and at that time applied to the entire western coastline of the Bōsō Peninsula.

Sodegaura 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 Chiba 12th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Heavy industry, especially oil refineries and chemical processing, is located on reclaimed land in the city.