Kanichiro Sato

In the mid-19th century, Okiku lives in a tenement row house in the sprawling city of Edo. There, she cares for her father, Genbei, a former samurai, whom she supports by teaching children in a temple school. Yasuke and his newly recruited partner, Chuji, regularly visit the tenement to collect the human manure from the outhouse the tenants share. Okiku takes a special interest in Chuji.

Nagata (Yamazaki) is the writer/director of an unpopular theatre troupe. One day, he meets Saki (Matsuoka), a young woman who had come to Tokyo to become an actress, and they fall in love. While Saki sees Nagata's talent and indulges him, he believes that the only way he can make her happy is to succeed as a playwright. But as he struggles to hone his craft, the distance between them grows.

Chef Hayami risks losing a Michelin star after COVID. She suspects her missing chef is in Kyoto and seeks answers behind his sudden return to Japan.