According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit and a shield. The imaging unit is configured to perform magnetic resonance imaging of an object by transmitting a radio frequency signal from a radio frequency coil while magnetic fields are formed by a gradient coil and a superconducting magnet respectively. The shield is configured to form a gradient magnetic field for the magnetic resonance imaging with the gradient coil and to prevent ingress of heat into the superconducting magnet.