Departures (2008) – Filming Locations
Drama · Directed by Yojiro Takita · Starring Masahiro Motoki, Hirosue Ryoko
Daigo, a cellist, is laid off from his orchestra and moves with his wife back to his small hometown where the living is cheaper. Thinking he’s applying for a job at a travel agency he finds he’s being interviewed for work with departures of a more permanent nature – as an undertaker’s assistant.
Where was Departures filmed?
- Sakata, Japan, Sakata – Primary setting where Daigo returns to his hometown and discovers the ritualist profession. The picturesque coastal city in northwestern Japan serves as the main backdrop for the film's exploration of small-town life and traditional funeral customs
- Yamagata, Japan, Yamagata – Surrounding rural and mountainous areas reflecting the quiet contemplative atmosphere of the region. The prefecture's natural scenery and small towns provide authentic context for Daigo's return to provincial Japan and his spiritual journey
- Tokyo, Japan, Tokyo – Opening sequences showing Daigo's previous life as a cellist in the city before his return. The metropolitan setting establishes the contrast between Daigo's former urban existence and his eventual return to rural simplicity and traditional values