Kawanishi Town borders Yonezawa City on the northwest. While the southern portion of Kawanishi is mountainous, the northern portion lies in the Okitama Basin and is used for agriculture; the low, hilly area in the mid-region of the town is used for pasturing cattle. Yonezawa-gyu (Yonezawa Beef), although the name implies that Yonezawa is the main producer of this famous brand, is in reality raised also in Kawanishi Town. Kawanishi is known for its Dahlia Park near downtown, which is Japan's largest, and for being the hometown of writer Inoue Hisashi. In recent years the town has constructed several golf courses and the Sun Marina Tamaniwa ski/golf resort.