Lonely nine-year-old Masao leaves Tokyo in search of his mother, whom he has never met. He's accompanied on his journey across the Japanese countryside by the surly, middle-aged crook Kikujiro, who is none too happy being the chaperone. When Kikujiro gambles away all the travel money, the two must rely on their wits and the kindness of strangers.

Keiko, a young, confused and irresponsible single mother tasked with four children sneaks them into a new apartment, instructing them that only the eldest,12-year-old Akira, can be seen, and that the others must remain hidden. Over time, Keiko leaves them increasingly alone, eventually abandoning the children completely, only leaving behind an envelope of cash. Akira, his two sisters, Kyoko and Yuki, and their irrepressible younger brother, Shigeru,...

Dwelling on his past glory as a prize-winning author, Ryota wastes the money he makes as a private detective on gambling and can barely pay child support. After the death of his father, his aging mother and beautiful ex-wife seem to be moving on with their lives. Renewing contact with his initially distrusting family, Ryota struggles to take back control of his existence and to find a lasting place in the life of his young son.

Fashioned as a tribute to his parents, the film depicts one day in the life of the Yokoyamas, gathered together for a celebratory ritual that only gradually makes itself clear. Rather than focus on big dramatic moments, Kore-eda relies on simple gestures and domestic routines (especially cooking) to evoke a family's entire life, its deep regrets and its daily joys.