Gion Festival
1 - July 31, Monday – Wednesday
Kyoto
The three nights leading up to each day of a procession are sequentially called yoiyoiyoiyama, yoiyoiyamа, and yoiyama. During these yoiyama evenings, Kyoto's downtown area is reserved for pedestrian traffic, and some traditional private houses near the floats open their entryways to the public, exhibiting family heirlooms in a custom known as the Folding Screen Festival, Byōbu Matsuri). Additionally, the streets are lined with night stalls selling food such as yakitori (barbecued chicken on skewers), taiyaki, takoyaki (fried octopus balls), okonomiyaki, traditional Japanese sweets, and many other culinary delights.