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Tokyo Story

Not RatedDrama • 1953IMDB 8.1/10

Elderly couple Shukishi and Tomi Hirayama live in the small coastal village of Onomichi, Japan with their youngest daughter, schoolteacher Kyoko Hirayama. Their other three surviving adult children, who they have not seen in quite some time, live either in Tokyo or Osaka. As such, Shukishi and Tomi make the unilateral decision to have an extended visit in Tokyo with their children, pediatrician Koichi Hirayama and beautician Shige Kaneko, and their respective families (which includes two grandchildren). In transit, they make an unexpected stop in Osaka and stay with their other son, Keiso Hirayama. All of their children treat the visit more as an obligation than a want, each trying to figure out what to do with their parents while they continue on with their own daily lives. At one point, they even decide to ship their parents off to an inexpensive resort at Atami Hot Springs rather than spend time with them. The only offspring who makes a concerted effort on this trip is Noriko Hirayama, their widowed daughter-in-law, whose husband, Shoji Hirayama, was killed eight years earlier in the war. Following the vacation, each child comes to some conclusion of their general behavior toward their parents, not only on this trip but throughout their entire adult lives. For some, this realization may come too late.read more

This film was Produced in Japan.

Where to watch Tokyo Story online

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recommended

Awards

3 wins

Cast

Chishû Ryû

Chieko Higashiyama

Sô Yamamura

Crew

Yasujirô Ozu

Director

Kôgo Noda

Writer

Yasujirô Ozu

Writer

Story

Directed by Yasujiro Ozu, this 1953 Japanese film is an extraordinary example of family drama and a poignant exploration of generational conflict and change. The narrative centers around an elderly couple, Shūkichi and Tomi Hirayama, who travel from their rural village to visit their adult children in bustling post-war Tokyo. To their dismay, they find that their children are too busy with their own lives to spend time with them, revealing a deep emotional chasm between generations. The film’s minimalist style, marked by Ozu’s trademark use of low-angle shots and "tatami mat" level camera positions, deeply immerses the audience in the characters’ world, fostering an intimate connection with their emotional experiences.

Yasujiro Ozu is renowned for his insightful depictions of family life and his masterful use of cinematographic techniques. Ozu’s films often focus on the subtle intricacies of everyday life and evoke universal themes through highly localized settings. His direction style is characterized by a deliberate pacing and a focus on mundane activities, lending an unprecedented sense of realism and profundity to the narrative. "Tokyo Story" is frequently cited as his masterpiece and has influenced countless filmmakers worldwide. Ozu’s ability to capture the poignant subtleties of human relationships makes his work timeless, and it continues to resonate with audiences today.

The cast features some of Japan’s finest actors of the time, including Chishû Ryû and Chieko Higashiyama as the aging couple, Shūkichi and Tomi. Setsuko Hara plays their widowed daughter-in-law, Noriko, whose genuine warmth and kindness provide a stark contrast to the indifference shown by the couple’s biological children. The performances are restrained yet deeply moving, reflecting Ozu’s minimalist approach to storytelling. Over the years, "Tokyo Story" has garnered critical acclaim and numerous accolades. It is frequently cited in polls of the greatest films ever made, and its enduring relevance speaks to the universal themes of family, aging, and the passage of time.