''Anata e'' (, ''To You'') is a 2012 Japanese film directed by

Yasuo Furuhata was a Japanese film director. He was a director of Toei film company and he often worked with Ken Takakura in such films as ''Station (1981 film), Eki'' and ''Shin Abashiri Bangaichi''. He won the 2000 Japan Academy Prize for Director of the Yea ...

Plot

The story follows the journey of a man traveling some 1000 kilometers from

Toyama City is the capital city of Toyama Prefecture, Japan, located on the coast of the Sea of Japan in the Chūbu region on central Honshū, about north of the city of Nagoya and northwest of Tokyo. , the city had an estimated population of 415,844 in 176 ...

, Japan to his wife's hometown in

Nagasaki Prefecture is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan, mainly located on the island of Kyūshū, although it also includes a number of islands off Kyūshū's northwest coast - including Tsushima and Iki. Nagasaki Prefecture has a population of 1,246,4 ...

, in order to scatter her ashes into the sea. Along the way, he travels through several locations, including the ruins of

Takeda Castle was a Sengoku period Japanese castle located in the Wadayama neighborhood of the city of Asago, in the northern part of Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. It is located north of Himeji, and north-west of Kyoto, and is situated some 353 metres above sea ...

, Shimonoseki City, the

Kanmon Bridge The (Asian Highway Network ) is a suspension bridge crossing the Kanmon Straits, a stretch of water separating two of Japan's four main islands. On the Honshū side of the bridge is Shimonoseki (, which contributed ''Kan'' to the name of the s ...

Moji-ku, Kitakyūshū is a Japanese Wards of Japan, ward of the city of Kitakyushu in Fukuoka Prefecture. It is the former city of Moji which was one of five merged to create Kitakyūshū in 1963. It faces the city of Shimonoseki across the Kanmon Straits between Hon ...

, and

Sasebo, Nagasaki is a Core cities of Japan, core city located in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. It is the second-largest city in Nagasaki Prefecture, after its capital, Nagasaki. , the city had an estimated population of 230,873 in 102,670 households, and a populat ...

, recalling experiences with his wife along the way. He also befriends and is assisted by numerous strangers. Eiji Kurashima, a correctional officer at a prison in Toyama, receives a picture postcard from his late wife, Yoko. The letter reveals her final wish—to have her ashes scattered in her hometown sea, a wish he never knew about before. Her will had been held at the Hirado post office for seven days before reaching him. Seeking to understand his late wife's true feelings, Eiji embarks on a solo journey in a modified van he built himself, traveling from Toyama through Hida-Takayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Takeda Castle, the Seto Inland Sea, Shimonoseki, and Kitakyushu, eventually reaching his wife’s hometown in Hirado, Nagasaki. Along the way, he encounters various people and experiences their lives, leading him to rediscover the depth of his wife's love.

Cast

Ken Takakura , born , was a Japanese actor and singer who appeared in over 200 films. Affectionately referred to as "Ken-san" by audiences, he was best known for his brooding style and the stoic presence he brought to his roles. He won the Japan Academy Pri ...

as Eiji Kurashima *

Yūko Tanaka is a Japanese actress from Osaka Prefecture, Japan. She has won several acting awards during a long career working in both film and television, after she graduated from Meiji University. Life and career Early career At the beginning of her care ...

as Yoko, his wife * Kitano Takeshi as Sugino Teruo, Japanese literature teacher *

Tadanobu Asano better known by his stage name is a Japanese actor, director, and musician, who has had an extensive career working in both Japanese and international cinema. He has been nominated for five Japan Academy Film Prizes, twice for Best Actor and ...

as cop *

Tsuyoshi Kusanagi is a Japanese actor, singer, television host, and a former member of SMAP, one of the best-selling boy bands in Asia. Early life Kusanagi grew up in Kasukabe, Saitama, Japan. Career Music In 1987, at age 13, Kusanagi auditioned to enter John ...

as Tamiya Yuji, food-stall cook * Kōichi Satō as "Nambara", food-stall cook and former fisherman *

Haruka Ayase better known by the stage name , is a Japanese actress who started her career as a model in the year 2000. She has since become a leading actress in television and film. Career 2000–2004: Early career Ayase was invited by a friend to parti ...

as Naoko Hamazaki, young waitress and Nambara's daughter *

Kimiko Yo is a Japanese actress. She was given Best Supporting Actress awards at the 2004 and the 2009 Yokohama Film Festival ceremonies. She won the award for best supporting actress at the 32nd and at the 33rd Japan Academy Prize for '' Departures'' an ...

as Tamiko Hamazaki, her mother, eatery owner, and Nambara's widow/wife *

Hideji Ōtaki was a Japanese actor. He served as President of the Mingei Theatre Company. Career After serving in World War II, he became interested in the theater and helped found the Gekidan Mingei troupe in 1950. He gained fame for his television work fr ...

as Ohura Goro, elderly boat owner, and estranged father of Nambara

Production

Around the time of filming, Takakura was 80 years of age. His role as Kurashima was his last before his death in 2014.

, who played Nambara's estranged father, died a few months after the film's release.

References

External links

* 2012 films Films about grief Japanese drama films Films directed by Yasuo Furuhata 2010s Japanese films 2010s Japanese-language films Films about letters (message) {{2010s-Japan-film-stub