Tokyo Story
An old couple visit their children and grandchildren in the city, but receive little attention.
Directed by Yasujirô Ozu · Drama · 137 min · 1972
Trailer
Director
Yasujirô Ozu
Studio
Shochiku
Release
13 Mar 1972
Runtime
137 min
Genres
Drama
Full Plot
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.
Cast & Characters
Chishû Ryû
Chieko Higashiyama
Sô Yamamura
Setsuko Hara
Haruko Sugimura
Kuniko Miyake
Kyōko Kagawa
Eijirō Tōno
Nobuo Nakamura
Shirō Ōsaka
Hisao Toake
Did You Know?
Did You Know Tokyo Story was inspired by the 1937 American film Make Way for Tomorrow, directed by Leo McCarey.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Did You Know the plot was initially suggested by Noda, Ozu's long-time collaborator, who had seen the original film in Japan.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Did You Know both films depict an elderly couple struggling with family and travel to visit their children, but with different cultural contexts.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Critical Assessment
Tokyo Story holds 8.1/10 on IMDb (76,665 votes), 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 100/100 on Metacritic.
Not enough independent critic/audience score breakdown available.
Ratings as of July 30, 2026
Where to Watch
United States
United Kingdom
Streaming data from JustWatch via TMDb. Availability changes often — confirm on the provider before watching.
AI Verdict
AI-generatedBased on aggregated scores (8.1/10 on IMDb (76,665 votes), 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 100/100 on Metacritic), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tokyo Story's Rotten Tomatoes score?+
Tokyo Story holds a 100% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes.
What is Tokyo Story's IMDb rating?+
Tokyo Story has a 8.1/10 rating on IMDb from 76,665 votes.
What is Tokyo Story's Metacritic score?+
Tokyo Story has a Metascore of 100/100 on Metacritic.
Is Tokyo Story good? What are critics saying?+
Tokyo Story holds 8.1/10 on IMDb (76,665 votes), 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 100/100 on Metacritic.
How long is Tokyo Story?+
Tokyo Story has a runtime of 137 min.
Who directed Tokyo Story?+
Tokyo Story was directed by Yasujirô Ozu.
Where can I watch Tokyo Story?+
Tokyo Story is available to stream, rent, or buy on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, BFI Player, BFI Player Amazon Channel, BFI Player Apple TV Channel.
Fan & Critic Buzz
The reaction to "Tokyo Story" is generally positive and celebratory. Reviewers praise the film as necessary, a masterpiece, and one of the best they've seen. They highlight its thoughtful portrayal of family dynamics, nostalgia, and human emotions. The film's cinematography and emotional impact are also widely praised.
Viewer Reviews (TMDb)
A necessary film, in the way that vegetables are necessary.
tmdb47633491 · 6/10An elderly couple leave their small fishing village to travel to Tokyo to visit their children and grandchildren. Armed with a small packed lunch and the most perfectly packed suitcase you will ever see, they embark on their train journey to the metropolis. Once there they discov…
CinemaSerf · 7/10
From the trailer's comments
The sadness behind this quiet scene is heart breaking- everyone needs to see this movie!
@garrywallace1007 · 94 likesThe word "masterpiece" gets thrown around far too casually these days but it definitely applies here. Ozu's greatest work.
@bmabs35 · 153 likesTokyo Story is cinema at its absolute best
@AlonsoRules · 66 likesBest description of it I ever read..."It's a film about everything. And nothing."
@Telstar62a · 18 likesJust watched it for the first time yesterday, and being a bit of a cinephile, I have to say, this film is one of the best I've ever seen.
@Blake_Devlin · 27 likesThe emotion carried way through movie is awesome.cinematography in 1953 impressive.human emotional.loneliness,philosophy..its a masterpiece... Movie End with Ship Moving...
@nandeeshmk6179 · 99 likesMost blissful trailer I've ever seen.
@zamor_da · 34 likesA beautiful and powerful film. A true gem. I just rewatched it after maybe 25 years. So beautiful.
@minask5281 · 33 likes
