Ōkunoshima, the island where a poison gas plant of the Imperial Japanese Army was located, belongs to Takehara.

The Takehara area is part of ancient Aki Province and has been settled since prehistoric times.

Takehara's Special Historical District of old warehouses was selected as one of Japan's "100 Most Scenic Towns".

[citation needed] Takahara has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 14 members.

Mihara, collectively with the town of Ōsakikamijima, contributes one member to the Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly.

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