A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus of an embodiment includes: an imaging condition setting section configured to set an imaging condition for a main scan, a preparatory scan performing section configured to repeat a preparatory scan to be performed by the use of the imaging condition for a main scan and a changeably inputted center frequency so as to generate a preparatory image in real time, a display section on which the preparatory image can be displayed in real time, an optimum center frequency setting section configured to change the center frequency so as to change a situation in which a banding artifact appears and configured to set an optimum center frequency according to a user operation based on an observation of the preparatory image, and a main scan performing section configured to reconstruct an image for a diagnosis by using the optimum center frequency having been set.
