An image recording apparatus, including: a recording head configured to record an image on a recording medium; a conveying mechanism disposed so as to face the recording head and configured to convey the recording medium in a medium conveyance direction that is horizontal; a maintenance unit disposed, in its standby state, alongside the recording head in the medium conveyance direction and configured to perform maintenance of the recording head; a retaining portion disposed above the recording head and configured to hold and retain the recording medium on which the image has been recorded by the recording head, such that the recording medium is held and retained in a horizontal posture; and a medium receiving portion which is disposed alongside the retaining portion and to which the recording medium on which the image has been recorded by the recording head is discharged.