The story centers around Noriko Somiya (Setsuko Hara), a gentle and devoted young woman in her late twenties who lives with her widowed father, Professor Shukichi Somiya (Chishū Ryū). Their life in Kamakura is peaceful and filled with tender companionship. Noriko runs the household, looks after her father, and seems perfectly content with her life. However, the relationship is tested when Aunt Masa (Haruko Sugimura) arrives to take control of Noriko's future.