Marc Bell
Teacher, 32
I would bring my address book so I could keep in contact with people, which means there is never a final farewell. Also, I would bring back my keitai. It¡¯s a symbol of Japan¡¯s power -- how they can use Western technology and make it better than we do.
Ilaria Girolamo
Waitress, 26
I would bring my friends and a more open mind about life. In Italy, I always hung out with the same kind of people, but here I hang out with a range of different people, so I find I can relate to people better.
Melanie Burton
Copy editor, 26
A taste for shochu? A heightened sense of personal cleanliness? A crushing hangover on the plane. If I could, when I leave Japan, I would bring my big fat catfish. Nobody loves that fish like me, especially my old housemates. And some good memories.
Yoshito Matsuzawa
Teacher, 28
I would bring ¡°yamatodamashi,¡± which is Japanese spirit. And umeboshi, pickled plum, and rice -- but not too much because it¡¯s heavy. Maybe soy sauce. And of course, a smile.
Shawn Rover
Teacher, 35
I would bring my girlfriend, as number one. Second, I would bring some language, like sumimasen. You just yell sumimasen at restaurants and you get served straight away, none of this trying to catch eye contact business. Also, the term ¡°ganbatte.¡±
Yoko Shindo
Flight attendant, 30
If I was leaving Japan forever, I would bring a photo album of my family¡¯s pictures, a rice cooker and umeboshi. I would also bring some Japanese moisturizer, and an electronic dictionary.
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