Ishinomaki City, located in the northeastern part of Miyagi Prefecture, is the second-largest city in the prefecture after Sendai. Facing the Pacific Ocean, its development originated from the Ishimato Gate (Ishimato Sluice) at the mouth of the Old Kitakami River, and it remains the central hub of the greater Ishinomaki region today. The area code for the city is 0225.
Following a large-scale municipal merger in 2005, the city’s area expanded significantly, extending from the lower Kitakami River region to the southern tip of the Sanriku Coast at the Oshika Peninsula (excluding Onagawa Town). The Old Kitakami River runs north to south through the city and plays a major role in shaping the development of industries on both banks.
The right bank (west side), including Kahoku and Monou districts, lies at the eastern edge of the Sendai Plain. With fertile soil, this area thrives as a rice-producing agricultural zone. On the left bank (east side), the land becomes part of the Kitakami Mountain Range, featuring hilly terrain and ria coastlines. Here, agriculture is limited, but fishing and aquaculture industries are highly developed, especially along the Ishinomaki Bay. The Kamiyama area in the city center is also home to livestock farms, supporting local animal husbandry.
Ishinomaki is especially proud of its thriving fisheries industry. The offshore waters near Kinkasan (Sanriku waters) are where the Kuroshio (warm) and Oyashio (cold) currents converge—one of the world’s three major fishing grounds, home to over 200 species of fish. Ishinomaki Port consistently ranks among Japan’s top five fishing ports by annual catch, with approximately 100,000 tons landed in 2019. The city’s Mangokuura Bay is also internationally recognized for pioneering efficient oyster farming techniques, influencing aquaculture methods around the world.