Ishinomaki is the second city of Miyagi prefecture in the Tohoku region of Japan. It is cool in the summer, has a little snow in the winter and has pleasant weather throughout the year. It is a treasure house of nature, rich with the earth of the Kitakami River, and is one of the world’s three major fishing grounds.
Approximately 400 years ago, Ishinomaki flourished as a large port city delivering rice to Edo and utilizing the flow of its rich river. In the same period, the Galleon ship, the “San Juan Bautista,” crossed the Pacific Ocean under the Date clan, setting sail from Ishinomaki. In addition to the port facing the fish market, there is also an industrial harbor that actively supports the transportation of the Tohoku Pacific side.
After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, thanks to support from all over the world, we have utilized most of the resources, such as nature and people, that the region has and have been steadily progressing towards reconstruction.
The urban area is spread out near the mouth of the former Kitakami River on the Ishinomaki Bay side and is located on the fertile plains of the basin. From the eastern part of the city to the Oshika Peninsula is situated at the southernmost tip of the Kitakami Mountains, making it a scenic Rias coast.
The climate is maritime; the difference between the temperatures of summer and winter is small compared to the inland area, and the Tohoku region has a relatively temperate climate throughout the year.
Early in the Edo era, while the development of new rice fields was progressing, as the largest rice port in this rich rice-production area, Ishinomaki was developed as “the largest rice collecting port in Oshu,” a trading city known nationwide. The Rias coastal area had abundant fishery resources, so coastal fisheries were prosperous and remote area trade was conducted. The area had tremendous success as a shipping and navigation base.
After that, it flourished as a landing base for the North Sea fishery, but due to the arrival of the 200 nautical era, it has changed from an ocean fishery to an offshore fishery and aquaculture. However, to diversify and stabilize the industries, it was urgent to develop an industrial infrastructure. For this reason, the development of an expressway, relocation of the fish market, improvement of the fishery processing complex, industrial attractions and so on were developed. The new Ishinomaki industrial port also opened in 1964 and developed as an industrial city.
Situated on top of a hill in central Ishinomaki, this park is well-known as an excellent spot to look down over the city and the mouth of the Kitakami River opening into the Pacific Ocean. On clear days, it is possible to see as far as the Oshika Peninsula, Matsushima and the Zao mountain range.
The museum is a cultural facility displaying the work of Shotaro Ishinomori, one of the most famous manga artists in Japan. His most well-known works include Kamen Rider and Cyborg 009.
This facility houses a full-sized replica of the western-style wooden galleon, the Sant Juan Bautista. Detailed information about the original ship is also on display.
Sushi is the best way to taste the blessings of seafood caught at the Sanriku-Kinka coast area and the finest rice produced by the soil nurtured by Kitakami River. Enjoy the wide variety of sushi.
The unique folk performing art of the “Haneko dance” is a horticultural dance consisting of three accompaniments. Every year in the second week of September, festivals attended by approximately 1,000 people are held.
Ishinomaki’s main festival of the year was started as a gesture of gratitude to Magobei Kawamura, the engineer who saved the city from catastrophic flooding 400 years prior. In addition to the prayers, thanks and offerings to spirits, it is a lively Japanese summer festival with events, parades and fireworks for all to enjoy.
Known as a farm for Nori, clams, oysters, and oyster seeds were exported abroad. In olden days, it was said to be an Utamakura (classic term in poem) “Oku no Umi” scenic scenery spread.
Reeds are clustered on the Kitakami River bank. Although the amount of reeds has decreased due to the damage of the Great East Japan Earthquake, the scenery, which is stained with the golden color of dead winter plants, is still beautiful. It is one of the “100 Soundscapes of Japan.”
Tashirojima Island is popularly known as “Cat Island” both domestically and overseas. On the island, there is also a “cat shrine” where the god of a cat, the guardian god of large catches for the island’s fishermen, is enshrined.
