In early 20th century Japan, a young girl named Chiyo is torn from her humble home and taken to a geisha house in Kyoto, where her life changes forever. With an innate talent and captivating beauty, Chiyo becomes Sayuri, a famous geisha who dazzles the powerful men of the city. Under the tutelage of the imposing Mameha, Sayuri navigates a world filled with rivalries, intrigues, and the burning desire to escape her gloomy reality.
The story unfolds amidst the unmistakable aromas of tea and the elegance of kimonos, as Sayuri confronts the heart of her dilemmas. Among the whims of life as a geisha, she forges a complicated bond with a mysterious and enigmatic man, Dr. Noguchi, who awakens a passion in her that crosses boundaries. However, her life becomes complicated when her rival, Hatsumomo, does everything she can to ruin Sayuri's path to success.
With the outbreak of World War II threatening her traditional way of life, Sayuri is forced to choose between her personal desires and her duty to her culture. In a visually stunning journey, filled with emotional twists, a deep message about love, loss, and the struggle for freedom in a world attempting to define its destiny is revealed. Sayuri's journey will lead her to discover who she truly is, against the backdrop of a Japan on the brink of irreversible change.