Shiawase no Kiiroi Hankachi

Disappointed young man in this story quits his job, takes his savings to buy a car, and takes off on a trip to Hokkaido. During a side trip to a beach, he meets a girl who joins him on his trip. He also takes on an ex-convict, who is journeying north to meet his wife. He has written to her hoping that she will accept him back but will leave without even saying hello if she has not placed the sign of her welcome (a yellow handkerchief) in a window of their house.
(Source: .RottenTomatoes)
~~ The film was inspired by a column series written by American journalist in 1971.