Set in the late 1930s in Japan, the story revolves around the four Makioka sisters navigating life and family expectations in a rapidly changing society. The Makioka family was once wealthy and eminent but is now struggling to maintain their status. The eldest sister, Tsuruko, strives to uphold family traditions, while the second sister, Sachiko, balances supporting her family and her own household. The third sister, Yukiko, is shy and graceful, enduring a series of unsuccessful marriage proposals, which places her at the center of the family's concerns as they seek to arrange a suitable marriage for her. The youngest sister, Taeko, is spirited and modern, frequently clashing with the family's conventional values and pursuing her own desires independently.

Throughout their journey, the sisters encounter various personal and societal challenges against the backdrop of impending war. The film intricately explores their lives, their relationships with one another, and their individual quests for happiness and fulfillment. Familial loyalty, tradition versus modernity, and the struggle to adapt to change are central themes that drive the narrative. The sisters' bond is tested as they deal with the shifting dynamics of both family ties and societal pressures, highlighting the richness and complexity of their emotional worlds and the enduring nature of their sisterhood through these transformative times.