[2] Mitaka is located on the Kantō Plain, just outside the 23 special wards of Tokyo Metropolis, which are on its eastern borders.

The Tamagawa Aqueduct canal, which runs alongside Mitaka station, has an important place in history, built in 1653 to feed the local metropolis.

Tokyo Metropolis Mitaka has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall.

In the post-Meiji Restoration cadastral reform of 22 July 1878, the area became part of Kitatama District in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Mitaka has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 28 members.

In terms of national politics, the city is part of Tokyo 22nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.