In a remote Japanese village, the harsh practice of ubasute, where elderly people are carried to a mountain to die and lessen the burden on their families, looms ominously over Orin, a 69-year-old woman. Despite her age, Orin is full of vitality, working diligently to support her family and ensure their continued livelihood. However, she is keenly aware that her time is approaching and begins to settle her affairs, arranging suitable partners and futures for her children, especially her eldest son, Tatsuhei, who grapples with the impending separation from his beloved mother.

As Orin methodically prepares for her final journey to the sacred mountain, she beseeches her family to accept her fate while concealing her sadness and fear. Her unwavering commitment to the traditions and the family’s welfare underscores the depth of her character and the broader societal pressures. Beset by internal conflict, Tatsuhei must reconcile his love and respect for Orin with the unsparing customs of their community. The unfolding events capture the harmonious yet tragic interplay between individual sacrifice and collective continuity, all set against the stark beauty of rural life.