**What dance is an important part of the Gion Matsuri festival in Kyoto, Japan?**
An important dance featured during the Gion Matsuri festival in Kyoto, Japan, is called Yoiyama. This traditional dance is performed as part of the celebration, characterized by its vibrant costumes and intricate movements. The Gion Matsuri, held annually in July, honors the Shinto gods and aims to ward off plagues and misfortune. The dance showcases Kyoto's rich cultural heritage, while also serving to engage the community and attract visitors to the festivities.