Kyoko is a university librarian and she also helps her parents with their drycleaning company. She is involved with a childhood friend from the neighborhood, Kota. He is the son of the local tofu maker and has begun a moderately successful career as a stand-up comedian. A visiting lecturer from Tokyo falls head-over-heels in love with Kyoko and asks her to go abroad with him to Beijing, where he has to spend the next few years for his research. But Kyoko cannot decide.
Acting
Hana Ebise's face does more work than the dialogue ever could.
Cinematography
Kyoto's seasons become a fifth character in her decision.
Director
Yoji Yamada
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Yoji Yamada was 79 when he co-directed this, still obsessed with ordinary women facing impossible choices.
The drycleaning shop and tofu store represent Japan's shrinking regional economy — her choice is also Japan's.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
JP
