Camping equipment from well-known manufacturers is well-designed and good-looking, but it is often expensive and difficult to purchase. Especially for those who have just started camping, it is difficult to know what kind of equipment suits your style. We definitely do not want to make the mistake of buying expensive gear that we end up not using. The 100-yen store (Dollar store in Japan) is our ally in this situation. The Dollar gears is highly cost-effective and is used by a wide range of campers, from beginners to seasoned veterans. We will introduce some of the most recommended camping gear below.
- Leisure cooker (Daiso, 500 yen)
- Mestine (Daiso 500 yen – 1,000 yen)
- Jute bags (Celia, 100 yen)
- Pocket stove (Daiso, 200 yen)
- Foldable Mini Gotoku (Celia 100 yen)
- Collapsible sierra cup (Daiso, 100 yen)
- Skittles (Daiso, 300-500 yen)
- Barbecue griddle (Daiso, 300 yen)
- Summary
Leisure cooker (Daiso, 500 yen)
First, we introduce the Leisure Cooker, which is made of stainless steel and is very durable, yet can be purchased for the reasonable price of 500 yen.
It has a shape like a mug with a lid, has a handle, and can be used over an open fire by hanging it on a tri-pod, etc. because it also has a fishing hook. It is versatile enough to correspond to various heat sources such as a bonfire, an alcohol stove, and solid fuel, etc. It has a scale up to 500㎖, has a capacity up to 700㎖ at the maximum, and is a size that can be used not only to boil water but also to cook well. The lid also has a steam vent hole for safety.
There are many camping goods at 100 yen stores that do not allow open flames, but this leisure cooker is about 0.8 mm thick and has sturdy specifications that can withstand open flames, so you can rest assured.
Compact and multifunctional, it meets a variety of needs and can be considered a useful camping item, especially for solo camping.
Mestine (Daiso 500 yen – 1,000 yen)
Mestines are another essential camping item.
Various types of mestines are sold at 100 yen stores, including those for 1 cup, 1.5 cups, 3 cups, and fluorine-coated ones, and many cutting boards and nets of corresponding sizes are also sold.
At one time they were so popular that they were sometimes hard to find, but now they seem to be in stock at relatively all stores.
This mestin is lightweight, making it easy to carry, and its aluminum construction makes it a good choice for quick cooking due to its high thermal conductivity. It is useful not only for camping, but also for storing small daily items.
I have several mess-tins that I purchased from Daiso, but this time I would like to introduce a black fluorine-coated mess-tin.It looks very cool in black and looks great at the campsite. It is non-stick, easy to clean, and does not require seasoning, so it can be used immediately after purchase. Mestines are also available from well-known manufacturers, but I find Daiso to be sufficient.
Jute bag (Celia, 100 yen)
Next, I would like to introduce a jute drawstring bag from Celia. They are called “Jute Vegetable Stockers,” and while they are originally intended for storing vegetables, coffee beans, etc., I use them to store my camping gear.
There seem to be several different designs and sizes, and I purchased the 25cm x 30cm M size for 100 yen. They are thick and sturdy, so they protect what you store in them well.
It also blends in well at the campsite and may be just the right product for those who like the bushcraft style. I like using it because even if it gets dirty, it also becomes tasteful. It is a stylish design that can be used as a room interior. I am using it to hold a folding bonfire pit, smoker, etc., but I think it would also be good to hold extra firewood, etc., in a rugged way.
Pocket stove (Daiso, 200 yen)
Pocket stoves are “miniature fire pits” that can be folded into the palm of your hand.
It is used like a stove on which solid fuel, etc., is placed. These gears are also available at well-known manufacturers for several thousand yen, but can be purchased at 100-yen stores for about 200 yen, and can be used without any functional problems.
I think it is most often used for boiling water and cooking meshed rice. It is very useful when camping where you don’t cook enough to bring a single burner, or when you want to cook another dish on a single burner while cooking rice.
I use a homemade alcohol stove instead of solid fuel in this pocket stove. I hope to introduce this alcohol stove at another time.
Foldable miniature vase (Celia, 100 yen)
Various shapes of chutes are also available at 100 yen stores. Used with alcohol stoves and solid fuel, the stove is also an item that can be quite annoying if you forget it when camping.
Celia’s foldable miniature pot is very simple and looks like two square frames joined together. The width can be freely changed, so it is very convenient for use with a variety of cookers you have. Because it is highly practical and not bulky, it can be said to be a very good and scintillating item for a pentode, even though it costs 100 yen.
This is a great camping tool for solo campers, mountain climbers, and others who want to reduce the amount of luggage they carry.
Collapsible sierra cup (Daiso, 100 yen)
When it comes to camping, sierra cups are a must. They can be used for cooking and as cups or small plates, and can be considered a necessity for outdoor activities.
Some have a scale, which is useful for measuring the amount of rice. They are compact and lightweight, but the handles can be surprisingly cumbersome to carry. This Daiso collapsible sierra cup has a foldable handle, making it very convenient for stacking with other items.
Moreover, it is truly amazing that it can be purchased for 100 yen. Although it is made of stainless steel, the instruction manual states that it cannot be used over an open flame. It is true that the thickness of the metal seems a little thin. If you use it over an open flame, please do so at your own risk.
Skittles (Daiso, 300-500 yen)
Next is a stainless steel skittles from Daiso.
Originally, it was a tool used by soldiers and mountain climbers, etc. It is a container with an image of a container for whiskey and other alcoholic beverages to be kept in the back pocket of trousers. 168㎖ can be contained and there is no fear of it breaking because it is made of stainless steel.
It can be purchased at Daiso for 300 yen and the one in the photo with the black leather cover is available for 500 yen. Even if you don’t have any particular use for this item, you might want to have it. It is a cool design that would look great at a campsite. I use it to hold fuel for my lanterns, not alcohol, but you have to be careful not to drink it by mistake.
Iron plate for barbecue (Daiso, 300 yen)
You can also buy iron griddles at Daiso that are just the right size for cooking meat and eggs in solo camping. It is just the right size for use with a single burner, alcohol stove, or solid fuel.
There is a smaller steel plate that is sized to fit in a mestin, but I use a larger steel plate that costs 300 yen. It measures approximately 2 cm long x 14 cm wide, is 1.1 mm thick, and weighs a rather hefty 340 g.
It has a return to prevent food from spilling, and I would say that it is large enough for a solo camping griddle and has authentic features. Please season it before use just in case. Sorry the picture is dirty as I have used it many times.
summary
Now, we have introduced camping gear from 100 yen stores that is second to none for expensive camping gear. You may already have some of these camping gears. Many of them are cost-effective yet highly functional, and even experienced campers will be satisfied with many of them.
The 100 yen store has many attractive products that are neither cheap nor cheaply made. Whether you are just starting out or are a seasoned camper, we encourage you to take a look at 100 yen stores. By the way, our article on seasoning containers used in camp cooking also includes ideas for 100-yen items, so please visit as well!
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