In a world that celebrates the grand and the glamorous, Perfect Days invites us to slow down and rediscover the beauty in the ordinary. Through the unassuming routines of Hirayama, a public restroom cleaner in Tokyo’s Shibuya district, the film gently reminds us that contentment often blooms in small, overlooked moments. By tuning into the soft rustle of leaves or the warmth of a friendly nod, we learn to practice mindfulness and embrace a life of intentional living.
A Perfectly Simple Life
Every so often, a movie reminds you that true happiness doesn’t require a mansion—or a fortune. Perfect Days follows Hirayama, a humble caretaker of Shibuya’s public restrooms, whose days unfold with the simplicity of routine yet sparkle with small miracles. He lives in a cozy studio, unwinds in nearby sentō baths, and treats himself to the same neighborhood diner each evening. Once, I tried a week of minimalist living—no distractions, just a rented futon and instant noodles—and I discovered how mindfulness turns the ordinary into something remarkable. Hirayama embodies that lesson: he notices the way sunlight filters through train windows, the gentle sway of ivy creeping along brick walls, or an unexpected smile offered by a passerby. These moments speak volumes about finding joy in the mundane.
A Beautiful Worldview
Beneath Hirayama’s tranquil exterior lies a past far removed from his current life. A fleeting scene hints that he once navigated boardrooms rather than bathroom stalls—his sister arriving in a Lexus speaks volumes about choices left behind. Played with quiet grace by Kōji Yakusho, this character earned the Best Actor prize at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, where the Ecumenical Jury praised the film as “an evocative celebration of gratitude and intentional living.” It’s a testament to director Wim Wenders’s skill that, without heavy exposition, we feel the weight of Hirayama’s decision to exchange high finance for high appreciation of life’s simple gifts. If you ever find yourself swept up by life’s noise, let Perfect Days be a gentle nudge back to what really matters.
