There are rules about bonfires at campsites in Japan.
Many campsites in Japan prohibit open fires when starting a bonfire.
Open fire means placing wood directly on the ground and burning it.
The reason why open fires are prohibited is to prevent damage to the ground. For example, if you start an open fire on a grassy site, the grass will burn. If this happens, repair is impossible.
So, if you can’t make a bonfire over an open flame, what kind of tools should you use to start a bonfire?
We will explain the tools needed to make a bonfire at a Japanese campsite.
Bonfire stand
The first thing you need is a bonfire stand.
It serves as a firewood and ash receptacle. By using a bonfire stand, you can enjoy a bonfire without burning the ground.
Bonfire sheet
The next thing you need is a bonfire sheet. Bonfire sheet is a sheet placed under the bonfire stand.
If you use a bonfire, you won’t burn the ground, but because the distance from the bonfire to the ground is close, the heat hitting the ground is high.
If the site is grassy, the heat emitted will kill the plants.
The bonfire sheet plays the role of blocking the high heat emitted from the bonfire stand.
Also, if ash falls from the bonfire stand or burning firewood falls, the bonfire sheet will protect the ground from damage.
It is difficult to clean up fallen ashes, but if you have a bonfire sheet, cleaning up is easy.
Knife for chopping wood
You can purchase firewood at and around campsites in Japan.
However, since the firewood that is sold comes in a certain size, you will need to create small pieces of firewood for kindling.
(If the firewood is thick, it will take a long time to start burning.Even if the firewood is thick, it will not start a fire.)
For this purpose, prepare a knife for chopping wood.
However, there are knives for chopping wood that come in a variety of shapes, as shown below, so choose the knife that best suits your camping style and purpose.
- knife
- saw
- Ax
- Machete
Bonfire Glove
When making a bonfire, be sure to wear bonfire gloves.
The Bonfire Glove has the following roles:
- Protects your hands from knives when chopping wood.
- Protects your hands from being cut by firewood hangnails when holding firewood.
- Protects you from getting burned when putting firewood into the bonfire.
Be sure to prepare bonfire gloves for safety.
Fire extinguisher can
Fire extinguisher can is a container to store the ashes and charcoal left after a bonfire is finished.
When you finish a bonfire and clean up, you need to cool down the high-temperature charcoal, but if you put it in a fire extinguisher can, you can safely cool down the high-temperature charcoal.
There are two types of fire extinguisher can: cans and fire retardant materials (fire extinguisher bags).
Enjoy a bonfire safely and with consideration for the environment
To start a bonfire at a Japanese campsite, you will need at least the following equipment.
- Bonfire stand
- Bonfire sheet
- Knife for chopping wood
- Bonfire Glove
- Fire extinguisher can
Don’t hurt the ground, and don’t hurt yourself.
Bonfires are the real thrill of camping.
Please follow the rules and be safe and have fun.
