Memoirs of a Geisha

As a teenage girl, I have borrowed one book from my classmate and never gave it back.
There are books which we start reading before even owning them, books which we start reading a couple of hours or days after buying them and books which are constantly waiting on our bookshelves to be read.

The book which I borrowed in high school used to be one of them.
Last summer, while packing for my trip to Japan, I remembered that book and thought that it was high time to find out what is hidden on the pages of "Memoirs of a Geisha" by Arthur Golden. It turned out to be a perfect idea! During the long hours spent in the trains, my thoughts weren't really there but long before I was even born, many many years ago in Kyoto. Not only, the book was interesting and pleasant to read but also, resolved my numerous doubts concerning Geisha's life.
After coming back to Poland I wanted to watch the movie based on the book as soon as possible. When I finally did, it didn't disappoint me. The movie was mysterious and filled with all kinds of Japanese beauty just like the book. I was glad to recognize some places which I have been to, while the other ones were making me wonder if it really was Kyoto. I decided to check where some of the places were the movie was shot were located and I've made a small research. I found out that, unfortunately, most of the scenes weren't shot in Japan but in various places in California, USA. They are well described here (scroll down to the middle of the page):
http://www.helloziyi.us/Movies/memoirs-gallery.htm

However, there are still some significant sights of Kyoto, which appeared in the movie and couldn't be replaced by any of the great American inventions.
Here they come!

Kiyomizudera Temple

The view of Kiyomizudera's pagoda (Pure Water Temple) appears in "Memoirs of a Geisha" many times, mainly to announce changes of the seasons but at the beginning of the movie as well.

I'm a bit suspicious about its presence in the movie and believe that the creators took just one photo of the view and changed the colors of the sky and the background by the use of their great American inventions, while preparing the final version of the film.
Anyway, it was a good idea to use it so many times. I love this view!

Fushimi Inari Shrine

I might be wrong but in my opinion, the scene when little Chio is running happily among the countless torii (red gates) is one of the most characteristic and unforgettable scenes of the movie.

Last spring, Daniel and I went there on a daily trip and both agreed that it's one of the best sights of Kyoto. Not only the shrine itself is a bit different from all the rest, but it is also a kind of a hiking trail in natural surrounding.