sony – Erik Abroad

Monkey Business in Japan

October 13, 2013Posted in GeneralTagged abroad, arashiyama, asia, beautiful, business, erik, erikabroad, fish, japan, kansai, koi, kyoto, lake, leaf, monkey, park, perfect, photography, pond, sony, travelLeave a comment

Have you ever been somewhere where you knew, for certain, that you would never return in the rest of your life? When I set foot in Arashiyama, Japan, two years ago with my study abroad program, I knew I would NEVER return to that city again. However, I was more certain that I would never go to the monkey park that is located atop one of the smaller mountains just across the river that traverses through Arashiyama.

I first went there with some friends during a trip to Kansai and was amazed by how many wild monkeys ran about freely without a fear of humans. You can feed the monkeys, take photos of them, and get very close without any fear of attack or something going wrong. I had the pleasure to return there on Saturday with a friend I met at language school last summer.

Aside from the amazing view of Kyoto from above, there are countless opportunities to capture priceless memories. Check out these monkeys drinking at the small pond at the top of the mountain while a koi feeds on a floating leaf. This picture is worth a thousand words.

A Kimono in Kyoto

October 13, 2013Posted in GeneralTagged abroad, amazing, arashiyama, asia, bow, breathtaking, bridge, clothing, composition, erik, erikabroad, japan, japanese, kansai, kimono, kyoto, landscape, photography, red, river, sony, traditional, travelLeave a comment

I took this stunning photo on a bridge in Arashiyama, just west of Kyoto, Japan, on Saturday, October 12, 2013. The scenery at this location was truly remarkable, but having the chance to take this candid photo truly made my day. The perfect peach color of her kimono and the bow coupled with the mountainous scenery makes this a photo I will never forget. Erik Jacobs (c) 2013

Waiting for the Train in Kyoto

October 7, 2013Posted in GeneralTagged abroad, amazing, asia, dschx20v, erik, erikabroad, japan, kyoto, movement, people, photo, shadows, signal, sony, train, transportation, travelLeave a comment

I captured this image in Kyoto on Sunday, October 6th, 2013, in Kyoto, Japan. These individuals were waiting for a train to cross through the bamboo grove and bamboo path. It was a great scene and I find the shadows, lines, and action of this photo to be captivating.

A Night Above Kobe

September 23, 2013Posted in GeneralTagged abroad, asia, erik, erikabroad, hx20v, japan, kobe, lights, mountain, sightseeing, skyline, sony, travelLeave a comment

Last evening, a friend and I decided to head to the famous Rainbow Bridge in Kobe, Japan, to see what city looks like from the mountain ridge north of the city. What we encountered was truly breathtaking, but the journey to get there was just as eventful.

Walking from Sannomiya Station, we traversed through back alleys filled with small mopeds, motorcycles, children, and shops on the way to the top of the mountain. On our way, we passed a mosque, several shinto shrines and temples, and some great ramen shops. Whenever I think of Japan, it is these scenes that come to mind first. I always find it amazing how there is such a convergence of old and new in Japan.

Here is how Kobe looked last night. It was beautiful. I still cannot believe I live here.

Kobe, Japan

August 26, 2013Posted in GeneralTagged amazing, bay, blue, city, cityscape, dschx20v, erikabroad, ferris, japan, kansai, kobe, port, sky, skyline, skyscrapers, sony, travel, view, water, wheel1 Comment

Here is the view from Kobe City Hall, taken on 26 August, 2013. (c) Erik Jacobs, erikabroad.com

A Shimmering Shibuya Square

August 6, 2013March 22, 2015Posted in GeneralTagged awesome, foreigner in tokyo, japan, japan at night, japan landmarks, lights, phenomenal, photography, shibuya, shibuya square at night, sony, square, station, tokyo, tokyo at night, tokyo backpacker, train, travel, traveling in tokyo, yamanoteLeave a comment

Shibuya Square in Tokyo shimmers following a rain shower on August 1st, 2013. (c) Erik Jacobs

Greetings from Washington, D.C.

July 13, 2013July 13, 2013Posted in GeneralTagged art, Capitol, clouds, D.C., hx20v, painting, photography, sony, summer, travel, WashingtonLeave a comment

Greetings from our nation’s capital! As you can see from my most recent postings, I am making the rounds on the East Coast before I leave for Japan in two weeks. Visiting friends, rekindling business contacts, and enjoying good fare and company have been at the top of my list as I have been to New York, Philadelphia, and Washington over the past three weeks. Here is how the Capitol Rotunda Dome looked yesterday. I was a tour guide here along with being a Senate intern in 2011.