Fuel for Japan and Taiwan

[David Marle]

Hi there,
A friend is off to Taiwan to visit family in the summer. Knowing it is seriously hilly and there are great walks in Japan, I thought I'd tag along! I normally use meths (alcohol stove) abroad as you can buy fuel (or surgical spirits in Muslim countries) everywhere, and a canister stove for an overnight in the UK. Does anybody know how easy is it to buy meths/alcohol in Japan and Taiwan?
Thanks
David

[EndoftheTrail]

David:

Taiwan is BEAUTIFUL for hiking (the Portugese didn't call it 'Formosa' for nothing). 75% of that island is mountainous. Click here for a trip report. You might want to PM the author and ask him about local fuel availability. Of course, Japan has a lot to offer too — so expect a fantastic trip! :)

[Jang-Tian Shieh(Syoten)]

PM sent.

Hikers here in Taiwan usually use canister stoves, and canister gas is available in outdoor gear shop or some malls. If you bring an alchohol stove, it's also very easy to get methanol which is usually added with pink color.

Syoten

[Miguel Arboleda]

You should have no trouble at all getting the fuel you want. All outdoor stores carry ethanol in 2 liter size steel cans and almost every drug store will sell either ethanol (エタノール）, a mix of ethanol and methanol（メタノール) in the first aid section. Be careful of the watered down versions of ethanol used for rubbing alcohol. It is smoky and doesn't burn very well.

Let me know if you need a listing or directions to an outdoor store in Tokyo or if you want more information on mountains to walk.

Taiwan is supposed to have some incredible mountains for climbing, too. Beware that the end of August through till October is typhoon season in both countries. But those are still great times to walk.

[David Marle]

Hello there,
Thanks for the answers. Miguel great to know that I can pick up alcohol fairly easily and thanks for the Japanese script. I was planning on trying the Southern Alps traverse and the north Alps traverse in the LP trekking guide plus maybe something else in the Chubu region.

Ben thanks for the link I have been in touch!

Should be a fun trip! Possibly not the best time, but I'm rather limited by school holidays.
David

[Steven McAllister]

Yes, alcohol is the common fuel in most countries. Even in the US where it is heavily restricted where they make it poisonous/dangerous.

Got to love the logic behind that:-)

[Author]

Posts