Visit Ayabe's mystical forest, where slender cedar trees walk through a sea of wild irises. Though the wild irises will be in bloom starting from the end of April, those who visit at the end of March are in for another surprise. The forest is also surrounded by groves of oriental paperbush, with yellow paper-like flowers that look like delicate origami. Visit this naturally occurring wonder of Kyoto. Donations are welcome in a drop box when you arrive to help preserve and maintain the non-invasive forest paths.