Mito Castle is classified as a hilltop castle (its layout: Renkakushiki), and is located in Ibaraki Prefecture. During the pre-modern age, it found itself within the borders of Hitachi Province. It is associated with the Tokugawa clan. Dates in use: 1190 - 1869.

The three branches of the Tokugawa clan were located in Owari (Nagoya Castle), Kii (Wakayama Castle) & Hitachi (Mito Castle), with the main line located in the capital of Edo. Considering the status & incomes of each branch, the castle of Mito was surprisingly simple. There was no twisting maze of towering stone walls for the soldiers to defend from, nor dozens of turrets, nor an imposing main tower. Its three defensive rings were arranged in a row with some two-story turrets dotting the perimeter.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, little has survived to this day. A large Yakui gate links the main enclosure. Prior to the 1980's this gate had had a thatched roof, but due to the on-going expense of maintaining it, it was replaced with copper sheet. Another notable building on the castle grounds is the Kōdō-kan, the former clan school. In the near future we may see an addition to the castle. Rumour has it that money is currently being raised to rebuild the turret-topped gate, the Ōte mon.

Timeline

1190	The castle was constructed by the Baba clan toward the very end of the 1100's.
1416	The castle fell to the Edo clan.
1590	The castle was awarded to the Satake clan.
1596	The castle was improved & expanded upon by the Satake clan.
1602	The Takeda clan replaced the Satake.
1603	Yoshinobu of the Tokugawa clan was transferred here.
1609	The Mito branch on the Tokugawa clan was established when Ieyasu appointed his 11th son, Yorifusa, lord of Mito domain.
1625	The castle was renovated. Interestingly, the three-story central tower that was built, wasn't classified as a keep but as a turret instead, as would its successor.
1764	A massive fire destroyed most buildings.
1766	The three-layered turret was rebuilt. Though externally quite simple, the tower actually had five levels within it.
1841	The Kōdō-kan clan school opened.
1842	Kairaku-en opened. This stroll-type garden is noted as being one of Japan's top three such gardens.
1868	Some buildings were lost in another fire. War?
1871	The castle was decommissioned.
1945	The main tower was lost to fire following a WWII air-raid.

Historical recognition

Site	Prefectural Historic Site
Kōdō-kan (clan school)	Important Cultural Property & Special National Historic Site
Yakui Gate	Prefectural Important Cultural Property