Mito, city in Japan, on southeastern Honshu Island, capital of Ibaraki Prefecture, on the Naka River, and about 140 km (87 mi) northeast of Tokyo. The city is a railroad and marketing center; its chief manufactures are cloth, paper, and natto (fermented soybeans). During the Edo period (1603-1867) in Japan, Mito was important as the castle town of one of the main branches of the Tokugawa family. In 1864 the city was the scene of civil strife between the shogunate and a proimperial faction over the expulsion of all foreigners from Japan. As a result of the conflict many people died and the city was badly damaged. Population (1999) 244,426.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
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