The main urban center spreads around the south side of the Koyoshi River, about 3 kilometers upstream from the mouth .

The area of present-day Yurihonjō was part of ancient Dewa Province, dominated by the Mogami clan during the Sengoku period.

After the start of the Meiji period, the area became part of Yuri District, Akita Prefecture in 1878, and the town of Honjō was formed with the establishment of the modern municipalities system.

After the merger, Yurihonjō had a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city assembly with 126 members (more than Tokyo Metropolis).

In terms of national politics, the city is part of Akita District 3 of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

East Japan Railway Company – Uetsu Main Line Yuri Kōgen Railway – Chōkai Sanroku Line Mount Chōkai (鳥海山, Chōkai-san) is an inactive volcano that stands alone on the border between Akita Prefecture and Yamagata Prefecture.

A one-way hike from the Haraikawa commonly takes 3 hours and there are bungalows and camping sites on the lower slopes of this trail.