Fuel calculator

Gas consumption

A backpacking stove uses about 10 g of gas to boil 1 L of water at 20°C with no wind. Two or three boils a day per person comes to 25–40 g. A "250" OD canister holds about 230 g, so two people on a one-night trip who mostly boil water need one canister.

Cold cuts efficiency

Gas vaporises poorly in the cold and the flame weakens. Cheap butane canisters are nearly useless below 5°C. In winter use an isobutane–propane "cold weather" mix, warm the canister in a pocket before lighting, and budget about 1.4× the gas because you boil more.

Canisters in Japan: OD and CB

You cannot fly with gas canisters, so plan to buy on arrival. Outdoor shops in big cities and near trailheads such as Kamikochi and Fuji's fifth stations carry OD canisters; CB cartridges are everywhere.

Firewood

A campfire burns 2–3 kg per hour. Campsites in Japan sell bundles of 3–5 kg for ¥500–1,000. Softwood (cedar, cypress) lights fast and burns out fast; hardwood (oak) lasts. Two evening hours take one or two bundles; cooking on the fire takes two or three. Fires are only allowed in a fire stand (焚き火台) at nearly every site, never on the ground.