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Ishinomaki (Ίª) is a large port city east of Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture. The city has a number of interesting attractions, and is known for being the hometown of prominent manga artist Ishinomori Shotaro.

During the 2011 Tsunami Ishinomaki suffered the largest losses of life and property of any municipality as the tsunami inundated much of the city's low lying waterfront districts and neighborhoods. From Hiyoriyama Park, located on a hilltop near the city center, visitors can look out over the affected waterfront districts. A memorial park with a lot of green space and a museum was opened in 2021 in the coastal district.

Hiyoriyama Park

Ishinomori Manga Museum

See the manga museum page for admission details

Ishinomaki Minamihama Tsunami Memorial Park

Hours: 9:00 to 18:00 (until 17:00 from October to March)
Museum hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30)
The museum is closed on Mondays (or next day if Monday is a national holiday) and from December 29 to January 4
Admission: free

Former Kadonowaki Elementary School

Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:00)
Closed: Mondays (or next day if Monday is a national holiday or the 11th of each month, Jun 12, Sep 1 or Nov 5) and from Dec 29 to Jan 3
Admission: 600 yen

Ishinomaki Genki Market

Hours: 9:00 to 19:00 (shops), 11:00 to 20:00 (restaurants)
Closed: No closing days

Tashiro Island

Getting there and around

By train

Direct JR trains connect Sendai with Ishinomaki about twice per hour. Local trains along the JR Senseki Line take about 80-90 minutes, while less frequent rapid trains along the JR Senseki-Tohoku Line require about one hour. By either train type, the one way fare is 860 yen and covered by the Japan Rail Pass, JR East Tohoku Area Pass and JR East South Hokkaido Pass. Local trains depart Sendai from the Senseki Line platforms in the station's basement, while rapid trains depart fom the Tohoku Line platforms above ground.

By bus

Miyagi Kotsu (Miyako) operates 1-2 buses per hour between Sendai (how to get to Sendai) and Ishinomaki stations. The one way ride takes about 75 minutes and costs 850 yen.

How to get to and around the Sanriku Coast