The area of the modern town of Yabu was within ancient Tajima Province.In the Edo Period, it was mostly tenryō territory under direct administration of the Tokugawa shogunate, with a small portion under the control of Izushi Domain.

The village of Hirotani and Takinoya created within Yabu District, Hyōgo with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889.

Yabu has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 16 members.

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

JR West – San'in Main Line This Hyōgo Prefecture location article is a stub.