Isa City was formed by the merger of Hishikari Town and Oguchi City in Isa District. Neighboring municipalities include Yusui Town in Izumi City and Satsuma Town. Located in an inland basin, temperatures sometimes drop below freezing in winter. Due to the snowfall, the city is also known as Kagoshima's Hokkaido. Isa rice cultivation and shochu production using sweet potatoes are popular. Isa Oizumi, Isa Nishiki, and Isami are brewed here. Mining is also thriving, with gold and silver mined at the Hishikari Mine, Japan's largest. Tourist attractions include Sogi Falls, also known as the Niagara of the Orient, Yunoo Falls, and Hishikari Railway Memorial Park. Other attractions include Shiraki Shrine, Hakozaki Shrine, and Yunoo Onsen. The city's tree is the cypress, and its flower is the cherry blossom.