Taiwa is located in central Miyagi Prefecture, bordered to the south by the metropolis of Sendai.

The area of present-day Taiwa was part of ancient Mutsu Province, and has been settled since at least the Jōmon period by the Emishi people.

Taiwa has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 18 members.

Taiwa, together with the rest of Kurokawa District and the city of Tomiya collectively contributes two seats to the Miyagi Prefectural legislature.

In terms of national politics, the town is part of Miyagi 5th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.