Kyoto: The Geisha, Temples, University and Tea Houses

Kyoto is a city in the central part of the island of Honshu, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka- Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.

http://blog.japanican.com/en/staffblog/2009/01/

The Geisha only reside in Kyoto. They begin their training at very young ages, usually around nine years old.Daughters of Geisha were normally brought up to be Geisha as well.  A Maiko is basically an apprentice and is therefore bonded under a contract to her okiya, whom would supply her with food, board, kimonos, obis, etc. A Maiko doesn't become a 'full-fledged' Geisha until her debts to the Okiya are payed/settled and she is permitted to move out and live/work independently. There are three major elements of a maiko's training: formal arts, entertainment training, and social skill. Geisha learn the traditional skill of dance and instruments; they hold  a high social status. 

 http://www.phototravels.net/kyoto/geisha-n/geisha-kyoto-n-008.html

GEISHA ARE NOT PROSTITUTES! Legitimate Geisha do not engage in paid sex with clients. Their purpose is to entertain their customer, be it dancing, reciting verse, playing musical instruments, or engaging in light conversation. Geisha engagements may include flirting with men and playful innuendos; however, clients know that nothing more can be expected. 

Temples:

Shunkoin
http://www.shunkoin.com/direction.html
Shunkō-in (春光院, Temple of the Ray of Spring Light) is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan and belongs to the Myoshinji (Temple of Excellent Mind) school, which is the largest among 14 Japanese Rinzai Zen Buddhist schools. The temple was established in 1590 by Horio Yoshiharu who was a feudal lord, or daimyo, of Matsue in present-day Shimane Prefecture. This temple houses important historical objects that reflect the multifaceted religious and artistic atmosphere in Japan from the sixteenth century onward.

Daikaku-ji

http://www.geocities.jp/general_sasaki/kyoto-sagano-eng.html

Daikakuji is an Esoteric Buddhism temple , located in Saga, Kyoto. The temple was once a detached palace belonging to Emperor Saga. In 876, his daughter Empress Seishi renovated the palace as Daikakuji temple and appointed her son, Imperial Prince Gojaku as the first chief priest. The temple inherited the doctrine of the monk Kukai, also known as Kobo-Daishi, whose faith Emperor Saga embraced. 
 Kinkaku-ji

http://www.shokoku-ji.or.jp/english/e_kinkakuji/photos/index.html

With the dramatic growth of the Japanese economy after World War II, Kinkaku-ji has become an extremely popular tourist destination. Large numbers of people have had the opportunity to experience and learn to appreciate Zen and Zen culture through visits to Kinkaku-ji. As the result of the many people involved with the temple's administration and upkeep over its long history, visiting Kinkaku-ji has emerged as a unique method of propagating the Buddhist teachings.

Kyoto University

 http://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/education/international

Kyoto University (京都大学), or Kyodai (京大) is a major national university in Kyoto. It is the second oldest university in Japan, and formerly one of Japan's Imperial university. The university has about 22,000 students enrolled in its undergraduate and graduate programs. Kyoto University is acknowledged as one of the top two universities in Japan, fueling a rivalry with Tokyo Univeristy. Kyoto University was ranked 11th worldwide in the Global University Ranking , and 25th in the world in the 2009 and 2010 academic ranking of world universities. A human competitiveness index & analysis by the Human Resources & Labor Review, and published in Chasecareer Network, ranked the university 24th internationally and 2nd in Asia for 2010. Kyoto and Tokyo universities have excellent foreign exchange programs, but can be very difficult to get into.

Tea Houses 
http://www.dragosroua.com/the-trip-to-japan-first-impressions/

Tea was re-introduced to Japan in the thirteenth century and around it a complex ceremony rapidly grew up. Here, at a tea house in a tea garden in Kyoto, the mistress of the garden prepares tea by adding boiling water to the tea with a bamboo ladle. Tea has deeply influenced every aspect of Japanese life, including the gardens, architecture, ceramics and etiquette of social life.