By the time he directed Departures, his more mainstream work had already gained international recognition and awards: the 2003 film When the Last Sword Is Drawn, for instance, won Takita his first Japan Academy Prize for Best Film (Sapia staff 2009).
Pada waktu ia menyutradarai Departures, karya untuk kalangan umumnya telah meraih pengakuan dan penghargaan internasional: film 2003 When the Last Sword Is Drawn, yang membuat Takita memenangkan Penghargaan Akademi Jepang pertamanya untuk Film Terbaik (Sapia staff 2009).