Reviewer Takurō Yamaguchi gave the film an 85% rating, and found the treatment of its subject charming, and praised its quiet emotional impact and humour, the interweaving of northern Japan scenery with Hisaishi's cello score, and the film's Japanese spirit.
Reviewer Takurō Yamaguchi gave the film an 85% rating. Reviewer Takurō Yamaguchi found the treatment of its subject charming. Reviewer Takurō Yamaguchi praised its quiet emotional impact and humour. Reviewer Takurō Yamaguchi praised the interweaving of northern Japan scenery with Hisaishi's cello score. Reviewer Takurō Yamaguchi praised the film's Japanese spirit.