Otto (Ulmen) and his friend Leo (Verhoeven), both German veterinarians, embark on a journey to Japan in search of fish to purchase and sell. Along the way, they meet a young German fashion designer, Ida (Lara), and both men fall in love with her. Though Leo is not favored by Ida, she ultimately chooses Otto and the two of them get married. However, when Ida becomes pregnant, issues arise as she desires financial stability and a proper home for their child, while Otto is content with their current lifestyle and lacks ambition. As Ida continues to travel for her fashion business and earns more money, she grows distant from her family.