Tora-san Goes North (1987) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language

1987 · 107 mins · Japanese

Directed by

Yoji Yamada

Starring

Chieko Baisho, Toshirô Mifune, Masayuki Yui, Chishû Ryû, Takashi Sasano, Hidetaka Yoshioka

During a trip to the snowy Hokkaido countryside, wandering salesman Tora‑san meets a gruff veterinarian played by Toshiro Mifune. He steps in to help the vet’s strained relationship with his estranged daughter and finds himself quietly drawn to a local woman, delivering the series’ mix of gentle humor and heartfelt moments.