I've read that the Japanese title was "Hanayome Noren," the "Noren" being the "flag" displayed over the doorway of Japanese businesses large and small.

Series 1: The travel company has folded and Naoko Kagura needs a new job, worse still, her husband, Sosuke, has fled his foundering business and left her with his debts! Even a maid's job at her husband's family's traditional inn, "Kaguraya," looks better than nothing. She is seen as "enjomon/outsider" by Mother-in-Law/Head Proprietress Shino Kagura and urged to leave town.

Series 2: Naoko has learned from starting at the bottom as a maid, but husband Sosuke has done it again, this time leaving the inn, Kaguraya," to settle his debts. The current Proprietress-in-training, Ruriko, is dismayed when Naoko announces her intention to train as "Kaguraya's" next proprietress.

Series 3: Husband Sosuke has returned to Kanzawa town, with a promise to create a regional bento at his Taiwan-style Dim Sum restaurant.

Series 4: Naoko proposes a "Proprietress training school" to benefit Kanazawa town, which draws vehement opposition from Mother-in-Law Shino. Local business and cultural leaders approve, and a nationwide listing draws numerous candidates. Six candidates are approved, and sparks fly over the last candidate, a feisty and culturally uneducated fisherman's daughter, Machiko.