Where to Watch Tokyo Story (1953) in the US

What it's about

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 and crew

Director

Yasujirô Ozu

Writer

Kôgo Noda, Yasujirô Ozu

Starring

Chishû Ryû, Chieko Higashiyama, Sô Yamamura

Details

Release date

Mar 13, 1972

Language

Japanese, English

Country

Japan

Awards

3 wins total

Where to Watch Tokyo Story (1953) in the US — common questions

Where to watch Tokyo Story in the United States?

Tokyo Story is available with a subscription, free with ads, free with a participating library card, or to rent in the United States. Watch the movie with a subscription on HBO Max (HD). Watch the movie free with ads on Plex Channel (HD) and Plex Player (HD). Watch the movie free with a participating library card on Kanopy (HD). Rent the movie on Apple TV Store, Fandango at Home, and Prime Video.

Can I stream Tokyo Story or do I have to rent it in the United States?

Watch the movie with a subscription on HBO Max (HD). Rent the movie on Apple TV Store, Fandango at Home, and Prime Video.

Can I watch Tokyo Story for free in the United States?

Watch the movie free with ads on Plex Channel (HD) and Plex Player (HD). Watch the movie free with a participating library card on Kanopy (HD).