Saito released successive films including "Tabi no Omosa" (Journey Into Solitude) and "Tsugaru Jongarabushi" (Jongara) which was included in the Kinema Junpo magazine top ten, making him one of Japan's most renowned directors.
『旅の重さ』、キネマ旬報ベストワンにかがやいた『津軽じょんがら節』と次々と発表し、日本を代表する映画監督のひとりとなる。