Director Hajime Kadoi examines the humanity of the folks whose job it is to serve and honor the law with this compassion drama concerning a middle-aged prison guard who is called on to assist a condemned prisoner in his final moments. Adapted from the novel by Akira Yoshimura, Vacation tells the story of Hirai (Kaoru Kobayashi). A solitary figure at work, where he tends to model death row inmate Kaneda (Hidetoshi Nishijima), Hirai is engaged to marry single mother Mika (Nene Ohtsuka). Unfortunately for the soon-to-be-married couple, Hirai's job as a prison guard doesn't permit him the luxury of planning a proper honeymoon. An unanticipated opportunity for a week off of work soon arrives, however, when the minister of justice signs Kaneda's execution warrant. There's no doubt that Hirai could use a break, if not just for his honeymoon than to try and mend bridges with his future stepson, but that reprieve comes at a particularly high price. Kaneda is preparing to meet his executioner, and it's Hirai's job to ensure that the condemned man is treated with dignity and humanity in his final moments.
~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide