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Trudi (Hannelore Elsner) and Rudi (Elmar Wepper) are an affectionate, long-married couple living comfortably in a small Bavarian town. When Trudi learns that her husband Rudi is terminally ill, she arranges a trip to visit their children in Berlin without telling him the truth. In Berlin they discovered that their children are aloof and have little time for them, although they do see a performance of Butoh dance (an art form combining hippie culture with German expressionist dance) that Trudi loves and once aspired to perform.

When the seemingly healthy Trudi unexpectedly passes away Rudi learns that she secretly wanted to live a totally different life in Japan. He is devastated to discover the sacrifices she had made to be with him. The distraught Rudi then journeys to Japan to visit his other son, Karl, who lives there; and to realize Trudi’s unfulfilled dreams in a pilgrimage to Mount Fuji in the midst of the cherry blossom season - a celebration of beauty, impermanence and new beginnings.

The relationship with Karl soon grows chillier than ever, in part because Rudi has packed his wife's clothes, which he wears out of guilt for not doing enough for her while she lived. Wandering around town one day, Rudi meets a young Japanese Butoh dancer in the park and the two form an odd friendship. Eventually they head toward Mount Fuji in Trudi's honor – with Rudi wearing Trudi’s sweater, skirt, earrings, necklace, etc.).

Directed by German filmmaker Doris Dörrie (Straight through the Heart, In the Belly of the Whale, Men ).