Kyotojin no Hisokana Tanoshimi Rouge: Keisho

Sawafuji Sanya (Tokiwa Takako), the young proprietress of a traditional Japanese confectionery shop in Kyoto, fell in love with Mikami Takeshi (Suguru, Ishimaru Kanji), married him, and moved to Paris. Returning to Japan temporarily for work, Takeshi learns that Sanya's mother, Tsuruko (Ginpocho), is seriously ill, and begins to wonder what will happen to the succession of the shop. His daughter from his previous marriage, Miyako (Hoshi Moeka), is a graduate student who grew up in Paris. When Takeshi asks Miyako to study abroad, he makes a bold proposal.

Miyako (Hoshi Moeka), who grew up in Paris, is asked by her father (Ishimaru Kanji) if she would like to take over a long-established Japanese confectionery shop. She ends up moving into Sanhachiko's (Tokiwa Takako) family home and begins living with Tsuruko (Ginpocho). In graduate school, she becomes friends with Hiiroko (Morita So) and joins Professor Shinonome's (Watanabe Ken) research group, where she begins to consider the question, "Who are Kyoto people?" While having tea with Hiiroko, Sanhachiko, who is supposed to be in Paris, appears. Sanhachiko thinks that her husband's proposal is too much for Sanhachiko to handle...

Miyako (Hoshi Moeka) is joined by Mihako (Tokiwa Takako), who returns to Japan in pursuit of her, and the three begin living together with Tsuruko (Ginpuncho). At Professor Shinonome’s (Ken Watanabe) seminar, Miyako becomes involved in a debate over the question: “What truly defines Rakuchū—the heart of Kyoto?” While Kyoto enthusiast Shuko (Morita Kokoro) presents her research, the proud Kyoto native Itsuki (Sugita Rairin) shares his own rigid views as the heir to a traditional kimono shop, leaving others exasperated. What kind of man is Itsuki’s father (Danta Yasunori)?

Yotayu Itsuki (Danta Yasunori), head of a long-established kimono shop, passionately explains to Miyako (Hoshi Moeka) and Shuko (Morita Kokoro) how Muromachi once flourished and remains the center of Japan’s kimono culture. Though slightly overwhelmed by his intense Kyoto pride, Miyako later hears an unexpected side of him from Tsuruko (Ginpuncho). Mihako (Tokiwa Takako) remarks that those born into prestigious families often suffer from a “reluctance to inherit.” Miyako visits Nishijin, where her mother’s family originates, and meets Koji (Uesugi Shozo).

Miyako (Hoshi Moeka) grows weary of her training under Mihako (Tokiwa Takako), which includes kimono dressing, tea ceremony, and calligraphy. Meanwhile, the long-established confectionery Kurakuya enters its busiest season. Despite her illness, Tsuruko (Ginpuncho) continues to devote herself to her role as proprietress, while Miyako begins her apprenticeship. On the night of the Harvest Moon, as they enjoy tsukimi, Mihako and Tsuruko remark that the later moon is more refined than the mid-autumn moon. Curious about the meaning of “hannahri,” Miyako turns to Professor Shinonome (Ken Watanabe) for insight.

Tsuruko (Ginpuncho) collapses, leaving Miyako (Hoshi Moeka) painfully aware of her own helplessness. The issue of succession at Kurakuya weighs heavily on her mind. At a bar, Miyako meets Kotaro (Hayashi Kento), the son of Shiho (Akiyama Natsuko), who tells her that in the world of garden design, inheritance is not always determined by bloodline. Kotaro, who trained in England, has returned after being summoned by his master, Seibei Miyama (Ishibashi Renji). Meanwhile, Mihako (Tokiwa Takako) visits her half-brother Satoru (Fukami Motoki), who has left the priesthood.