【Reading】けせんぬまこう

【English Name】Kesennuma port

Kesennuma Fishing Port (a designated class-3 fishing port) is a major fishing port located in the innermost part of Kesennuma Bay in Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture. With the waters off Sanriku, one of the world's three great fishing grounds, as its main fishing area, a wide variety of fish such as bonito, Pacific saury, shark species, billfish, and tuna enliven its landings.

As of 2022, it holds the record of ranking first in Japan for fresh bonito for 26 consecutive years, and it also enjoys nationwide renown as a major hub for shark-fin production. Aquaculture of oysters, scallops, abalone, sea urchin, and wakame is also flourishing, making it an indispensable major supply source for sushi toppings.

The port's history begins with the start of repair-and-improvement works in 1930 (Showa 5). In 1951 it received designation as a class-3 fishing port, and in 1969 it was further upgraded to a designated class-3 fishing port. In 1995 a new fish market began operations, enhancing its facilities. The 2024 landing volume was about 67,526 tons, and the landing value reached about 22.5 billion yen.

In the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, it suffered catastrophic damage from land subsidence and a direct strike by high waves, yet on June 23 of that year, trading at the fish market resumed. It also functions as a base port for longline fishing targeting offshore tuna and for pole-and-line bonito boats, bearing an important role as a port that supports Japanese sushi culture at its foundation.