Ishinomaki (Japan Miyagi)

Ishinomaki is a port city in Japan's Miyagi Prefecture (Tohoku region, northern Honshu Island), with a population of around 150,000. The city is located in Miyagi's northeastern part and borders Matsushima Bay (south) and Kesennuma Bay (north). Kitakami Mountains are to the west. The coastline is part of Sanriku Fukko National Park (along Sanriku Coast) stretching from Hachinohe north to Aomori Prefecture. Part of the city is also three islands - Tashirojima Island (aka Cat Island), Ajishima and Kinkasan, all located off the coast of the Oshika Peninsula.

The town was established in 1889, while the city was founded in 1933. Traditionally for Japan, in 2005 into the city were merged the neighboring towns Kahoku, Kanan, Kitakami, Monou, Ogatsu, Oshika, Ayukawa.

In 2011, Ishinomaki was among the most seriously affected by the Tohoku earthquake (magnitude 9) and the produced tsunamis with wave heights up to 10 m (33 ft). The tsunamis destroyed most houses in Ayukawa. Approx half of Ishinomaki was inundated, many schools were completely destroyed, with 70 students and 9 teachers-staff reported dead. The confirmed total death toll was 3097, plus 2770 missing.

The city's economy is traditionally based on commercial fishing and Oyster farming. Transportation links include the JR East operated Ishinomaki Line (linking Maeyachi-Kakeyama-Kanomata-Sobanokami-Ishinomaki-Rikuzen-Inai-Watanoha-MangokuUra-Sawada), Senseki Line (linking Hebita-Rikuzen-Yamashita-Ishinomaki) and Kesennuma Line (Maeyachi-Wabuchi). Via Sanriku Expressway, daily scheduled intercity buses connect to Sendai, Shinjuku, and Tokyo. National highways are Sanriku Expressway, and routes 45, 108 and 398.

Popular tourists attractions include San Juan Bautista (replica ship), Ishinomori Manga Museum, Orthodox Church, Ishii lock (1880-built canal lock beside Kitakami River), Numazu Shell Mound (archaeological site), Saito Garden (traditional Japanese garden).

As a cruise port, Ishinomaki was included in the Princess Cruises Japan program for summer 2019 on the 3250-passenger ship Diamond Princess. In April 2019, the liner (homeported in Yokohama) had scheduled 8-day and 16-day itineraries (listed below).

8-day "Spring Flowers" (prices from USD 1420 pp)

16-day "Grand Spring Flowers" (prices from USD 2750 pp)