Michiko Ōji is the mother of Mochizō Ōji and the wife of Gohei Ōji, and she helps run the family mochi shop, Ōji-ya, located in the Usagiyama Shopping District. She is a youthful-looking woman who appears considerably younger than her age, to the point that she could be mistaken for her son's older sister rather than his mother. Her calm and composed demeanor contrasts with her husband's loud and hot-headed personality; she is much more serious and level-headed than Gohei, often serving as a grounding presence in the Ōji household. Despite her reserved nature, she is warm and perceptive, and she is fully aware of her son's romantic feelings for his childhood friend Tamako Kitashirakawa. As a mother, she is supportive and respectful of Mochizō's choices. She encourages him to pursue what makes him happy and does not interfere with his decisions about his future, including his plan to study filmmaking at a university in Tokyo. In the story, Michiko is a supporting character whose role centers on the Ōji family and the everyday life of the shopping district. She appears in both the television series Tamako Market and the film Tamako Love Story. Her interactions with Mochizō are gentle and encouraging, and she provides a stable, nurturing backdrop as he navigates his final year of high school and his evolving relationship with Tamako. Through her quiet presence, she contributes to the themes of family support and growing up that run through the narrative. Her notable abilities include managing the daily operations of a traditional mochi shop, which requires skill, patience, and a strong work ethic. Her development is subtle, reflected in her steady support as her son prepares to leave home and pursue his own path.