Takata Gouichi, portrayed by Ken Takakura, is an elderly man grappling with a strained relationship with his son Kenichi, played by Kiichi Nakai, since the passing of his beloved wife. As fate would have it, when Kenichi falls gravely ill, Gouichi embarks on a journey from his serene life in Akita to the bustling city of Tokyo, desperate to reconnect with his son. However, Kenichi's response is heart-wrenchingly disheartening; he refuses to see his father.
In a turn of events, Kenichi's wife Rie, depicted by Shinobu Terajima, hands Gouichi a video tape that offers a glimpse into his son's life—a recording featuring an artist of Nuo opera, Li Jiamin, from Yunnan, China, who expresses his commitment to perform Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles. Motivated by a father's love, Gouichi resolves to travel to China in Kenichi's stead to document Li's performance.
Upon arrival in the picturesque Village of Li, near Lijiang, Gouichi faces setbacks when he learns that Li is imprisoned due to an altercation stemming from a taunt directed at his illegitimate son. With the help of his translator Jiang Wen and local guide Qiu Lin, Gouichi wrestles with the idea of filming someone else, but remains steadfast in his mission to capture Li. After an arduous battle to gain access to the prison, Gouichi finally meets Li, who is overwhelmed with emotion, longing for his own son.
Gouichi's journey takes a poignant turn as he decides to visit Stone Village to bring back Li's young son, Yang Yang, who is just eight years old and dealing with the loss of his mother. During this quest, Rie contacts Gouichi with news that Kenichi has been touched by his efforts, suggesting that he should return home. Gouichi, however, is left questioning the authenticity of the message and perseveres in fulfilling his original mission.
In a twist of fate, their vehicle breaks down during their journey to the prison, prompting Yang Yang to flee out of fear of meeting a father he barely remembers. A heartfelt chase ensues as Gouichi pursues the frightened boy, leading them to become lost among the rugged limestone hills where they must spend a night in a cave. Initially wary, Yang Yang's hostility softens as the night progresses, and they share an unexpected bond. Fortunately, their absence creates a stir, resulting in a rescue from locals and law enforcement the next morning. With compassion, Gouichi allows Yang Yang to return home, feeling that the boy's comfort comes first.
Tragically, shortly after this emotional encounter, Rie conveys the devastating news of Kenichi's passing, accompanied by a letter of forgiveness. Heartbroken yet resolute, Gouichi returns to the prison with poignant photographs of Yang Yang, inspiring a deeply moved Li to promise an extraordinary performance despite their shared grief.
As the performance begins, Li's inquiry about why Gouichi isn’t recording the moment prompts an epiphany for Gouichi: the need to capture the event has dissipated with his son's death. Yet, through Li's entreaty, he decides to document the performance, culminating in a powerful piece that reflects the intertwining themes of journey, reconciliation, and the dualities of human experience—illustrating how success in foreign lands can sometimes overshadow the unresolved struggles at home.
