Born in 1933 in Fukushima, Kazu spends his afterlife haunting Ueno Park. In life, he works as an itinerant laborer, taking on demanding physical jobs ahead of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. His dedication to providing financial support for his family keeps him far away from home for decades, causing deep emotional separation. He eventually joins the unhoused population in Tokyo, carrying heavy regrets over his physical absence from his loved ones' lives.

An intellectual man living in a cardboard hut in Ueno Park. He possesses extensive knowledge of Japanese history, frequently sharing stories about local statues, the Meiji Restoration, and the 1945 firebombing of Tokyo. He removes all identification from his belongings to avoid burdening his estranged family and prioritizes his pet cat over his own meals.

Kazu's 21-year-old granddaughter. She steps in to provide care for him when he struggles to live independently. She is highly responsible and deeply attached to her family.

Kazu's wife, who raises their children in rural Fukushima. Because her husband travels constantly for construction and agricultural jobs, she essentially functions as a single mother. She prioritizes her family above all else and lives a life of quiet dedication to her household.

Kazu and Setsuko's son. He is born on the exact same day as the imperial prince, a coincidence that prompts his parents to borrow a character from the prince's name for his own. He grows up largely without his father's physical presence due to the family's financial reliance on Kazu's distant labor jobs.

Kazu and Setsuko's daughter. Like her brother, she grows up with her father mostly absent, yet she maintains a strong sense of familial duty. As an adult, she worries about her aging father and coordinates his living arrangements.

A hostess at a cabaret in the red-light district. She shares Kazu's Fukushima origins, and the two develop a brief, polite rapport. Kazu views her as a dream girl but maintains strict boundaries as a regular customer.

Koichi's best friend from high school. Her close bond with Koichi comes as a surprise to Kazu, illustrating how little he knows about his son's daily life and social circle.

A laborer who struggles to provide for his large family in Fukushima. He works gathering surf clams and frequently falls into debt, forcing him to hide from creditors and instructing his young son to lie on his behalf.

Kazu's mother, who lives through the family's deep financial struggles. She views her son's difficult life path with a sense of fatalism, noting his constant hard work yields very few rewards.

The ruler of Japan, who shares an exact birthdate with Kazu. His life of extreme privilege and isolation from the struggles of the working class serves as a direct contrast to the unhoused population living on the edge of the imperial grounds.

Mari's pet dachshund. He accompanies her during a chaotic drive out of their coastal town.

A stray cat taken in by Shige. The cat receives priority for food, often eating before Shige does.