The hillside temple that anchors east Kyoto, founded in 778 on the foothills of Mount Otowa. Entry is 500 yen and it's the obvious starting point for the Higashiyama walk down through Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka. Both sources call it essential; fair warning that in peak autumn even 6:30am doesn't clear the crowds. The temple's namesake Otowa waterfall splits into three streams — longevity, success, love. Pick one; drinking from all three is considered greedy.