Tabiya Okaeri (The Long Way Home / Welcome Back to the Traveler / 旅屋おかえり)

Akita's really cold and windy.

But look, look, look, look.

Here we go.

So good!

It's cold and windy but...

So beautiful!

It was really great that I come here by midnight bus.

Cuz... look.

I can be in this scenery early in the morning.

Ho-Hokekyo!

Excuse me.

They come every day in this time of the year.

Hummingbird?

They come here in the morning and evening.

I see.

They're saying "See you" and "Welcome".

Where did you come from?

Tokyo.

I think I've seen you before.

Maybe on TV?

TV?

Yes Yes.

-Are you on TV? -Do you recognize me?

You look like a beautiful actress!

I'm not really an actress.

To call you 'actress' is a bit of exaggeration.

Oh, train comes!

Only one car.

Cute!

I'm getting on!

Ho-Hokekyo!

I'm off!

Tabiya Okaeri

Akita Nairiku Line - The Starry Station

The sun has come out....

Miss!

Here's oranges.

Thank you.

Thank you.

The oranges are warm.

2 Weeks Ago

I wanted to sleep there!

I didn't think it was a day trip to Aomori.

I thought we'd stay overnight.

Hey, what do you think? Nonno.

Cost reduction.

But I thought all of our staff from "Chobitabi" could spend the night.

Yes, I know... A yellow card...

Ah, Red card, right?

What's this? Ekiben? Yes, on Shinkansen back.

Ekiben - a specific type of bento boxed meals, sold on trains and at train stations in Japan. (wiki)

It says there are two.

"I Love Aomori" Bento and Tsugaru Kaikyo, Jewel Box of the Sea.

-You know... -Yes.

After 30 years old, everything you eat turns to fat.

I'm sorry. Yes Yes.

Penalty...Yes... Oh, one-shot dismissal? Yes.

-You're a former idol, right? -Yeah.

I'm telling you, you're not even close to being an idol now.

Can you say that in a more subtle way?

-I'm really sorry. -I'm trying my best, too.

Look, I'm prepping for the next location.

What are you going to do? When the only talent you have, quits?

A talent-on-cliff with only one regular job. Wait until you get work, then say so.

That's why I told you to say it in a more subtle way.

Excuse me. Yes, yes.

President~!

Nonno has been saying horrible things to me a while ago.

Erika is not really conscious of her weight.

She ate 2 ekiben! I don't care if you eat three, four, or five.

Erika, you're not on TV anymore.

Umm?

"Chobitabi" has been canceled.

Wait, what does that mean?

You mixed up sponsors' names on live the other day, didn't you?

I'm sorry.

That's what was written in the script,

so I thought it was a local company.

I'm sorry for not checking. I'm really sorry.

But didn't we put an apology message at the ending?

The sponsor said they were leaving.

That's the end.

But I've been doing this for 5 years.

I made a mistake only once.

You're right. You've made mistake only once.

But let me tell you, you made a mistake just once

in a place where you should never make mistakes.

Oh, no...

-I'm off! -It's too late. It's done!

I know!

I know the reality is irreversible.

But we've all worked so hard.

-At least I should meet in person... -Erika!

Good morning!

Why are you here!

Why?

Calm down, calm down! Everybody, calm down!

I'll set up a new show with the TV station.

But first, we have to figure out what to do with ourselves.

Figure out means? What? Retirement?

Anyway, I'll think of something.

I'll think.

Ah! Mail! A job offer!

No way! No way!

A magnificent bamboo shoot.

Nice!

Let's eat.

School bus?

Let's eat.

Huh? Receipt?

Oh, sorry! Mister, that... that receipt!

Sorry.

Thank you.

-"Manju 124 yen"? -Yes, 124 yen.

It's important, it's important. You know, a memory of the trip.

Thank you. You're a local, right?

I'm going to a place called Tamahada Onsen. Do you know it?

-Well, yes. -Is it nice?

-Well, yeah. -I'm looking forward! Thank you!

-Haruto, hurry up! -We'll be late!

Sorry, thank you!

Thanks dear!

Let's eat.

Yeah.

It's got beef in it!

It's coming.

Yum!

Could you please go on a trip?

-Trip? -Yes.

I know it's an impolite request, so I sent you an email.

Really, Ms. Okaeri... I can't believe you're here.

Just "Okaeri" is fine.

Ms. Okaeri, will you travel on behalf of my daughter?

On behalf of your daughter?

My daughter has a disease called acute leukemia, she was 11 years old.

She went into remission once.

So she wanted to travel at least once,

so she came with me

when I was invited to Akita for a lecture last spring.

My daughter stayed alone at an onsen while I was at work.

She seemed to really enjoy the trip and...

insisted me to take her there again this spring.

But...

She has relapsed.

Now they recommend a transplant.

And yet, my daughter... Mayo... refuses the treatment.

What? Why? She'll get better with treatment, right?

Actually...

My wife died of the same disease.

Mayo knew she couldn't live long like her mother.

The relapse had affected her mind more than anything else.

Mayo, Ms. Okaeri came to see you.

You don't have to push yourself.

It's embarrassing. I was asleep all the time.

No, you're fine.

Mayo, nice to meet you.

It's Ms. Okaeri!

My wife loved your "Chobitabi" during her illness.

It was one of the few things she enjoyed during her long hospital stay.

Whenever Mayo came to visit her, they would watch it together.

Even now that her mom has passed away and she's sick,

she still watches "Chobitabi" without fail.

Mayo, thank you for always loving "Chobitobi".

What kind of trip would you like?

I want you to go to Tamahada Onsen in Nyuto Onsenkyo, Akita.

On April 23rd.

If you go there, there may be nothing.

Maybe it's just that I can't forget.

But I really want you to go that day.

Thank you very much.

Welcome.

Here we are.

Bus stop: Nyuto Onsenkyo, Kaniyu Onsen Mae.

From here, we're going to Tamahada Onsen.

-Welcome. -Hello.

Excuse me.

How do I get to Tamahada Onsen from here?