On Hatomi (a fictional name derived from Hatoma, the actual island where the drama was filmed), a small island in Okinawa state part of Japan's southern sea frontier, the social environment is suffering.
Mr. Nakama (Ken Ogata), decides to do something about it - and heads for Tokyo to recruit his grandson.
He finds Ruri (Riko Narumi), a mature girl of 11 who distrusts people because her mother (Naomi Nishida) doesn't care much about her, but after seeing Mr. Nakama's true intentions, allows him to take her to the island.
Unfortunately, the local teacher, Ms. Sanae (Manami Konishi), who was banking on the school's closing to be able to go somewhere else, is resentful of Ruri and makes light of her city fashion (including permed hair, fake curls, and miniskirts), which leads to a big showdown between her and Ruri - and the people who were enthusiastic about her suddenly begin to have their doubts, and only Mr. Nakama and his wife Megumi (Mitsuko Baisho) take Ruri's side strongly.
Katsumura and Nishiyama play a local married couple of neighbors, Kashu and Igawa a local unmarried couple of neighbors, all of them willing to help Ruri in their own way.