Shiroyama, a small charming place in the Japanese mountains: Its rich history promises a fascinating New Year's ceremony, and the inviting bathhouse of the small family inn promises soothing hours. The young English teacher Rei Shimura feels like she is in paradise as she arrives from Tokyo for a few vacation days. When she crosses paths with the charming Hugh Glendinning on her very first evening, she considers it a good omen. However, the next morning, the wife of the influential businessman Nakamura is found dead under the window of the bathhouse. Glendinning seems to know more than he reveals, and too many details of the case just don't seem to fit together. Rei's detective instincts are awakened, but she has no idea that the culprit is very close to her...