Yoko (2023)
A quietly devastating Japanese road movie about grief, distance, and the long road back to a place called home.
Yoko - Movie Information
- Original Title: 658km、陽子の旅
- Release Year: 2023
- Directed by: Kazuyoshi Kumakiri
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 53m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): July 28, 2023 (Japan)
- Alternative Titles: 658km Yoko No Tabi (JP), 658公里，阳子的旅途 (CN)
- Production Companies: Culture Entertainment
- Production Countries: Japan
Yoko - Plot
A road movie about Yoko, a frustrated part-time worker who hitchhikes to her hometown of Hirosaki, Aomori, where she has not returned for 24 years, after hearing the news of her father's death.
Yoko - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see Yoko's solitary journey unfold across Japan:
Where to Watch Yoko
Looking for where to watch Yoko?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Yoko - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Kazuyoshi Kumakiri
Main Cast
- Rinko Kikuchi
- Pistol Takehara
- Asuka Kurosawa
- Ai Mikami
- Kenta Hamano
- Nimura Sawa
- Atsushi Shinohara
- Ken Yoshizawa
- Jun Fubuki
- Joe Odagiri
Writers
- Kosuke Muroi
- Namiko So
Yoko - FAQs
What is Yoko about?
Yoko follows a disenchanted part-time worker named Yoko who, upon learning of her father's death, embarks on a 658-kilometer hitchhiking journey back to Hirosaki, Aomori — a hometown she has not visited in 24 years. The film explores themes of estrangement, grief, and reluctant self-discovery.
Where can you watch Yoko (2023)?
Streaming availability for Yoko varies by region. You can check the most current platforms, rental options, and purchase links for your country on JustWatch, which aggregates all available viewing options in one place.
Who plays the lead role in Yoko?
Rinko Kikuchi plays the title role of Yoko, a frustrated part-time worker who hitchhikes across Japan. Kikuchi is internationally recognized for her Oscar-nominated performance in Babel and her roles in Pacific Rim and Norwegian Wood.
Is Yoko based on a true story?
Yoko is not based on a specific true story. It is an original dramatic work written by Kosuke Muroi and Namiko So, directed by Kazuyoshi Kumakiri. The film draws on universal themes of family estrangement and personal reckoning rather than any documented real-life events.
Who directed Yoko (2023)?
Yoko was directed by Kazuyoshi Kumakiri, a Japanese filmmaker known for his intimate and character-driven storytelling. The screenplay was written by Kosuke Muroi and Namiko So, with cinematography by Takumi Kobayashi and music composed by Jim O'Rourke.
How long is the film Yoko?
Yoko has a runtime of 113 minutes, approximately 1 hour and 53 minutes. The film was released in Japan on July 28, 2023, and is a production of Culture Entertainment.
Did Yoko receive positive reviews from critics?
Yoko earned strong critical praise, particularly for Rinko Kikuchi's restrained and deeply felt central performance. Critics highlighted the film's quiet emotional power, its unhurried pace, and Kumakiri's sensitive direction as key strengths of this understated Japanese road drama.
What language is Yoko filmed in?
Yoko is filmed entirely in Japanese. It is a Japanese production by Culture Entertainment, set and shot in Japan, tracing a route from Tokyo toward the northern city of Hirosaki in Aomori Prefecture.
More About Yoko
Explore further details about Yoko on these trusted film databases: