Tōhoku is located in north-central Aomori Prefecture, bordering on the west shore of Lake Ogawara.

In the post-Meiji Restoration establishment of the modern municipalities system on 1 April 1889, Katchi (甲地村, Katchi-mura) was created.

Tōhoku has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 12 members.

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

The economy of Tōhoku is heavily dependent on agriculture, based primarily on production of nagaimo, daikon and carrots as well as lake fish, including smelt, icefish and shijimi.