Its coastline forms part of the Sanriku Fukkō National Park, which stretches north to Aomori Prefecture.

The town prospered as a major port and transshipment center for coastal shipping between Edo and northern Japan.

[13] There is still anger among some of the parents of the dead students because the teachers had wasted precious time in debating whether to evacuate to higher ground.

And when the decision was finally made, the teachers had decided to get to higher ground further away from the school which necessitated crossing a nearby river bridge.

Since her death, her family has been active in supporting the Ishinomaki school district, and has set up programs to further English education.

[20] The earthquake shifted the city southeast and downward, lowering it by as much as 1.2 metres (3.9 ft) in some areas and causing it to flood twice daily at high tide.

[22] Ishinomaki and other neighboring cities started construction on levees and large walls along the coast to protect against future tsunamis.

[23] Ishinomaki has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 30 members.

In terms of national politics, the city is part of Miyagi 5th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Daily scheduled intercity buses bound for the following cities, through the Sanriku Expressway, are being served from Ishinomaki Station.