When it comes to daily life, knowing what kind of shops are available and what you can buy is a crucial point. For example, regarding food, having a nearby supermarket where you can buy ingredients is more directly related to daily life than having restaurants where you can eat out.
Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, with a population of about 140,000, especially the urban area around Ishinomaki Station, has a variety of shops that can be used for any occasion or mood. As a writer living in the area within a 5-minute walk from Ishinomaki Station, I have never had any trouble with shopping so far.
This time, we will introduce 9 shopping spots in Ishinomaki, focusing on food-related stores. We hope this column will help clarify your image of daily life here, even a little.
First up is 'Ishinomaki Genki Ichiba,' where seasonal ingredients and local specialties from Ishinomaki gather. It's bustling with locals and tourists alike, regardless of weekdays or holidays, truly living up to its name as a 'market where the town's energy gathers.'
'Ishinomaki Genki Ichiba' is a large building located along the former Kitakami River, about a 10-minute walk from Ishinomaki Station. There's also a multi-story parking lot in front that's free for up to 2 hours, so those coming by car can rest assured.
As soon as you enter, a plethora of local ingredients catches your eye. From fish to vegetables, fruits, and rice, you can truly feel the richness of Ishinomaki's food culture. If you feel like cooking at home, coming to 'Ishinomaki Genki Ichiba' to gather your ingredients will surely make cooking more enjoyable.
In addition to ingredients, they also sell bento boxes. Discount stickers start appearing in the evening, so if you want to buy bento boxes at a good price, the evening is the best time to go.
Also, they have a wide variety of souvenirs, so be sure to stop by before returning home or traveling. They have items like canned goods and sake that can be both souvenirs and everyday stock.
Location: 2-11-11 Chuo, Ishinomaki, Miyagi 986-0822
Aeon is famous nationwide, so no explanation is needed. 'Aeon Ishinomaki Ekimae Store' is located right in front of Ishinomaki Station and is bustling 365 days a year, mainly with locals. In addition to the food section, there's also a 100-yen shop and a local vegetable store, so you can find all your daily necessities on the first floor.
What's interesting about 'Aeon Ishinomaki Ekimae Store' is that the second floor and above house the Ishinomaki City Hall. A city hall integrated with a commercial facility is quite rare nationwide, isn't it?
Furthermore, it's directly connected to Ishinomaki Municipal Hospital, and there's also a dispensing pharmacy on the first floor of 'Aeon Ishinomaki Ekimae Store,' so it might be a place that residents of Ishinomaki will frequent.
Location: Ishinomaki City Hall 1F, 14-1 Kokucho, Ishinomaki, Miyagi 986-0825
Walking south from Ishinomaki Genki Ichiba for about 2 minutes, you'll see 'Kasaya Confectionery,' a traditional Japanese sweets shop. The green flag with 'Mame Daifuku' written on it catches the eye.
Inside, delicious Japanese sweets like their signature wakame mame daifuku, sweet potato, and castella manju are lined up. There were some Japanese sweets with unfamiliar names, but the staff kindly explained them when asked.
I bought sweet potato and chatsu (a baked confection made with sencha green tea) to take home. If you're craving dessert after a meal, be sure to stop by 'Kasaya Confectionery'.
Location: 2-1-13 Chuo, Ishinomaki, Miyagi 986-0822
Next, I'll introduce a Western-style sweet. After passing through the bar district, you'll see 'B.B. Crepe & Cafe,' characterized by its pink signboard.
As the name suggests, crepes are the main offering, and they also sell tapioca drinks. Perhaps drawn by the cute design, a child of elementary school age came to buy a crepe with their mother just before me.
After ordering at the stand and waiting a bit, a freshly made crepe was handed to me. Even at over 30 years old, I felt like a child again as I devoured the crepe. There are several benches near the shop, so if the weather is nice, I recommend sitting on a bench and eating it fresh.
Location: 1-3-6 Tachicho, Ishinomaki, Miyagi 986-0824
'Moriya Fruits' is a fruit shop with colorful fruits painted on its exterior wall. Its appealing design is truly eye-catching.
Despite its name and appearance, which gave no hint, it sells not only fruits but also various other ingredients and daily necessities, making it, so to speak, 'the town's kitchen.' You can find everything you need for your kitchen, such as meat, vegetables, and seasonings.
Of course, they also sell a wide variety of fruits. Those living alone might not eat fruit very often. It might be nice to buy some for friends and family and share them with others. Among the grocery stores, it's the closest to Roopt Ishinomaki Hiyorigaoka, so those moving into the share house will likely visit often.
Location: 1-6-16 Chuo, Ishinomaki, Miyagi 986-0822
From here, I'll introduce two bento shops.
The first is 'Nodaya,' located next to the previously mentioned Moriya Fruits. The yellow and red 'Bento' flag caught my eye, so I went inside.
Upon entering, bento boxes were immediately lined up, all handmade in the kitchen in the back. Also, onigiri and cup ramen are sold next to the register, so those who feel 'a bento alone isn't enough!' can rest assured.
This is recommended for those who want to eat a proper lunch but don't have time to cook or go out, and find convenience store bentos unappetizing. You can buy it quickly and easily fill your stomach.
1-6-12 Chuo, Ishinomaki, Miyagi 986-0822
The other bento shop is 'Sakuraya,' located across the street from Nodaya.
It's a bento shop with a simple and refined exterior design.
At 'Sakuraya,' they make and sell different bento boxes every day.
Although only one type is offered per day, it's always a different bento whenever you go, so you can enjoy the anticipation of wondering 'what's today's bento?'
The menu when I visited was keema curry.
When I bought a bento, they gave me a monthly menu schedule.
It would be good to stick it on your refrigerator at home.
The lineup is so tempting, from classic nori bento to tandoori chicken, grated shiso hamburger, and shrimp chili.
Choosing 'I want to eat this, so let's go to Sakuraya today' is also a fun way to decide.
Location: 1-4 Chuo, Ishinomaki, Miyagi 986-0822
Ishinomaki Elementary School, where the cheerful voices of children can be heard from morning.
Eating the deli dishes from 'SONO,' a specialty deli shop behind it, will energize both your mind and body.
And for good reason.
The owner of 'SONO,' who moved to Ishinomaki from Shizuoka Prefecture, is a certified Athlete Food Meister and offers healthy deli dishes backed by knowledge.
The in-store pop-ups also contain information about nutrition and more.
It's both delicious and educational.
One of 'SONO''s unique points is its building.
It's a renovated former barbershop, and it's charming how it retains traces of its past while clearly establishing its identity as a deli.
If you're interested in utilizing vacant houses or renovation, please go buy some deli dishes at least once.
By the way, it's located in a secluded spot at the end of a one-way street next to Ishinomaki Elementary School, so you might get a little lost the first time you visit the shop.
We recommend looking for 'SONO''s banner flag and light blue signboard as landmarks.
Location: 1-2-2 Izumicho, Ishinomaki, Miyagi 986-0832
Finally, I'll introduce 'Pan Kobo Feel,' a bakery located about a 5-minute walk from Ishinomaki Station.
Previously operating within Ishinomaki Genki Ichiba, since August 2021, it has been manufacturing and selling handmade bread from its own independent store.
Stepping inside the white Western-style building, you'll find a variety of colorful breads arranged in a calm, wooden space.
Ishinomaki Anpan, Wakame Salt Bread, Marumaru Cream Bread, and all the breads lined up in the shop are handmade in-store, each with a chewy texture.
It's a bakery you'll want to visit regularly.
At 'Pan Kobo Feel,' you can eat inside or on the outdoor terrace.
On warm days, it would be fun to chat over bread on the terrace.
Location: 2-2 Sengokucho, Ishinomaki, Miyagi 986-0827
This time, we introduced shopping spots related to food and drink in Ishinomaki.
We hope this will be helpful in various situations, such as when you want to cook, when you want to quickly buy something to eat outside, or when you're feeling a little hungry.
In addition to the shops introduced this time, there are many other shopping spots in Ishinomaki city.
Try walking around the town, casually stepping into shops that catch your eye, and talking to the owners to discover your own favorite shops and spots.
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