Maps of Movies

Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)

Where Memoirs of a Geisha says it takes place, and where it was really shot.

The Kyoto geisha district was built on a California ranch; only a few shots are really Kyoto.

Scenes and places

Chiyo arrives in 1929 Gion

Chiyo and her sister Satsu are sold by their poor father and taken to Gion. Chiyo is taken in by the okiya's owner, called Mother, and meets the resident geisha Hatsumomo.

Set in Gion, Kyoto (1929) — The okiya and the lantern-lit streets where Chiyo is taken in. Google Maps · Apple Maps

Gion is Kyoto's historic geisha district.

Filmed at Thousand Oaks ranch set, California — The Gion okiya, streets and river were built as a set on a ranch here; the city coordinate is not the exact spot. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The Chairman's kindness on the bridge

Chiyo is crying on a bridge when Chairman Ken Iwamura buys her a treat and gives her his handkerchief. Touched by his kindness, she resolves to become a geisha to one day be part of his life.

Set in A bridge in Gion — Crying on a bridge, Chiyo meets Chairman Ken Iwamura, who buys her a treat and gives her his handkerchief and some money.

The bridge scene is part of the built Gion set according to one tour blog; no exact place is given.

The pagoda that turns the seasons

Chiyo works as a servant in the okiya. The pagoda marks the turning of days and seasons while she waits for a chance.

Set in A pagoda over Kyoto — A three-story pagoda shown as days and seasons turn.

A three-story pagoda at Kiyomizu-dera on the eastern hills of Kyoto.

Filmed at Kiyomizu-dera three-story pagoda, Kyoto — Wikipedia names Kiyomizu temple among the Kyoto locations; a tour blog gives the minute marks. The coordinate is the temple's. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Chiyo runs the torii path

Chiyo runs through the torii path of a shrine, then offers a coin and prays at a temple, hoping for a way to become a geisha.

Set in A shrine and temple in Kyoto — Chiyo runs down a path of torii gates and prays with a coin at a temple.

Two Kyoto sites are cut together as one journey.

Filmed at Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kyoto — The torii path run, filmed on location. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Filmed at Yoshiminedera, Nishikyo, Kyoto — The temple gate and Kannon hall for the coin prayer, edited together with the Inari run. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The Gion dance stage

Sayuri rises in popularity thanks to Mameha, attracting the attention of many men.

Set in A dance theater in Gion — A theater where geisha dances are staged.

A historic theater in downtown Los Angeles, used for the Kyoto dance scene.

Filmed at Belasco Theater, Downtown Los Angeles — Filmed at the Belasco Theater on Hill Street. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

A car ride through the bamboo

Sayuri rides with the Chairman along a road lined by tall bamboo.

Set in A road in Kyoto — Sayuri rides in a car with the Chairman through a bamboo grove.

A famous bamboo path in western Kyoto.

Filmed at Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kyoto — A Kyoto guide names the grove for the car scene; one source only. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The trip to the Amami Islands

Sayuri travels with Nobu, the Chairman and the American soldiers to the Amami Islands. The Colonel propositions her, and she rejects him.

Set in Amami Islands — After the war, Sayuri travels with Nobu, the Chairman, Mameha, Pumpkin and the American soldiers to the Amami Islands.

Amami is an island chain south of Kyushu.

The garden bridge reunion

Back in Gion after the war, Sayuri is summoned to a tea-house and expects Nobu.

Set in A tea-house and garden bridge, Gion — Back in Gion, Sayuri is summoned to a nearby tea-house.

A garden of Heian Shrine with a covered bridge.

Filmed at Heian Shrine Shin-en Garden, Kyoto — The Taihei-kaku bridge in the shrine's garden, at about 130 minutes. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Filmed at Sony Pictures Studios, Culver City — Okiya and tea-room interiors Google Maps · Apple Maps

Filmed at Gion, Kyoto (real streets) — Gion street, a few seconds Google Maps · Apple Maps

Filmed at Huntington Library Japanese Garden, San Marino — Garden scene (unspecified) Google Maps · Apple Maps

Filmed at Hakone Gardens, Saratoga — Garden scene (unspecified) Google Maps · Apple Maps

Filmed at Descanso Gardens, La Cañada Flintridge — Garden scene (unspecified) Google Maps · Apple Maps

Characters

• Chiyo / Sayuri — A girl sold to a Gion okiya who trains to become a geisha.
• Chairman Ken Iwamura — The kind man who gives Chiyo his handkerchief on a bridge.