In 1856, Townsend Harris, President Franklin Pierce's unlikely envoy, arrives in feudal Japan as its first Consul General. Confronting a culture hostile to foreigners and riddled with mistrust, Harris must navigate treacherous waters to earn the respect of local leaders and convince Japan's military dictator, the Shōgun, to open the country. Against this backdrop of intrigue and cultural clashes, Harris forms an unlikely bond with a young geisha named Okichi, who helps him understand the nuances of Japanese culture and ultimately embarks on a perilous journey to the capital city of Edo.