Father and son Shingo and Shuichi Ogata work in the same office in Tokyo. They also live in the same house in the suburban community of Kamakura with their respective wives, Kikuko Ogata who largely and happily takes care of her in-laws. Kikuko's relationship with her in-laws is the only happiness in her life as she and Shuichi have a cold relationship in Shuichi being a chronic philanderer in wanting so-called excitement outside of a marriage. He stays out to all hours, aided by his secretary Hideko Tanizaki, with his current mistress, Yasuko Tsuma. Miss Tanizaki herself is in love with Shuichi, and while not jealous of a wife, is jealous of a mistress. Shingo has largely stayed out of the marital problems of both his offspring, his daughter, Fusako Aihara, who is also in an unhappy marriage, with hers compounded by already having two children of her own. Shingo may view the situation with both his offspring differently both in understanding his own part in their unhappiness, but more so in his growing affection for Kikuko, for who he wants to see true happiness.
—Huggo