In the early stages of Japanese history, there were female entertainers: Saburuko (serving girls) were mostly wandering girls whose families were displaced from struggles in the late 600s. Some of these saburuko girls sold sexual services, while others with a better education made a living by entertaining at high-class social gatherings. After the imperial court moved the capital to Heian-kyō(Kyoto) in 794 the conditions that would form geisha culture began to emerge, as it became the home of a beauty-obsessed elite. Skilled female performers, such as Shirabyōshidancers, thrived.

However, the number of geisha currently based in Shimoda has now declined to just five, prompting the rare intervention of government officials to keep their presence alive.

As part of the plan, three prospective geisha will receive wages from central government employment subsidies for a six-month period, during which they will be trained fully in traditional singing, dancing and instrument playing.

The geisha training proposal, which will cost the local government an estimated £43,000, aims to reverse the city's dramatic decline of its geisha population – a problem replicated across much of modern-day Japan.

The move is a rare example of government employment funds directly subsidising the world of geisha, which has traditionally been independent of such financial support despite its decline in modern-day Japan.

"The number of geisha has declined because the social situations surrounding the traditional arts of geisha culture have changed," a spokeswoman for Shimoda City Government told the Daily Telegraph. "This is because there has been a decline in demand and also due to the social progress of women." "But the reason why it is important to help encourage more people to become geisha is because we think it's necessary for younger generations to inherit traditional entertainment." The first geisha trainees will take part in lessons held at a historic building known as the Sawamura residence, which dates back to the early 20th century.

Following six months of paid training, the city's new geisha will make their public debut in an annual city festival in March next year, according to officials, who also hope the move will boost the number of foreign tourists in the city.