Rikuzentakata City is located in the southeastern part of Iwate Prefecture, south of the Sanriku Coast. Between the Karakuwa Peninsula to the west and the Hirota Peninsula to the east, a plain lies at the northern tip of Hirota Bay. This plain is one of the largest on the Sanriku Coast. North of Takada Matsubara is Furukawa Swamp, with the city center at its foothills beyond. Mountains that form the city include Mt. Hikami and Mt. Yokote, and the Kesen River and Kawahara River flow through the city. The city's transportation system is a bus rapid transit system (BRT), connecting Rikuzen-Yahagi Station and Otomo Station. Major tourist attractions include Takada Matsubara, selected as one of Japan's 100 best beaches, and the Tamayama Gold Mine ruins, a gold mining area associated with Hiraizumi. Bicycle road races are also held here.