Camping Essentials (Must-Haves)
[Camping Essentials] A list of items you need for camping, organized by category!
[Essentials] Checklist of Items You Need for Camping
Whether you’re camping solo or with a group, the key to making the most of your trip and creating fun memories—no matter what happens—is to “make sure you don’t forget any camping gear.”
Before packing, make a list and check each item one by one to ensure nothing is left out.
Here, we’ve compiled a list of “camping essentials” based on typical camping scenarios. Please use this as a reference.
Tents & Tarps
- Tent
- Tarp
- Groundsheet or inner sheet
- Tent pegs
- Tent Peg Hammer
A tent is an essential item that serves as your "home" at the campsite. Be sure not to forget any accessories so you can set it up without any issues.
Also, if you set up a tarp at the entrance of your tent, it will provide shade and shelter from the wind.
This creates an outdoor living space, allowing you to separate the tent as a bedroom and the area under the tarp as a relaxation space for a comfortable stay.
A groundsheet or inner liner protects your tent and enhances comfort simply by laying it down, while also absorbing unevenness in the ground. It also helps block cold air from the ground.
Pegs and a peg hammer are often included with the tent, but since they can bend or get damaged unexpectedly, it’s a good idea to have your own set just in case.
Recommended Products
Diafort TC Solo Tent

The "Diafort TC Solo Tent" is a solo tent that functions like a shelter tent or a tarp.
Its high ceiling and main pole positioned on the outside eliminate dead space, creating a spacious and comfortable living area. It packs down compactly, making it ideal for motorcycle camping.
When used with the separately sold inner tent and groundsheet, it helps keep bugs out and protects the tent from dirt and moisture.
It is available in three colors: Gray, Sand, and Khaki.
Nightrover 2P

The "Night Rover 2P" is a compact dome tent with a lightweight, easy-to-set-up design. It comes standard with an inner tent and features a ceiling height that minimizes a sense of confinement, along with a wide opening that prevents the tent from feeling cramped.
Its self-supporting three-cross-frame structure allows for quick setup and takedown. Once attached, the inner tent and groundsheet can be stored as is.
Tenbi Shelter

The "Tenbi Shelter" features a unique design with a height difference between the front and rear, offering excellent livability and a comfortable stay.
By lifting up the front canopy and supporting it with separately sold poles, you can create a spacious living area.
Optional accessories include a TPU window, shelter roof, groundsheet, floor mat, and inner tent; using these to suit your camping style and situation allows you to enjoy camping even more comfortably.
Wing Fort

The "Wing Fort" is an innovative two-room shelter ideal for family and group camping. While retaining the best features of traditional two-room tents, its uniquely designed outer panels and flexible setup options allow it to adapt freely to changes in weather and camping styles.
By combining it with the separately sold living sheet, groundsheet, and TPU window, you can enjoy the outdoor scenery while staying cozy inside.
Makaon TC

The "Machaon TC" is a tarp where 2 to 4 people can relax comfortably and at ease. It features a beautiful hexagonal silhouette.
Setup and arrangement are simple. It fits into the included carry bag, making it easy to transport.
Campfire & Barbecue Gear
- Fire Pit
- Campfire Mat
- Fuel (firewood, charcoal, etc.)
- Tongs
- Barbecue Grill
Since many campgrounds now prohibit open fires, a fire pit is a must-have. You’ll also need to bring a fire blanket to prevent sparks and ash from scattering and to stop the fire from spreading to the grass.
If you have a fire pit that allows you to place a grill or griddle on top for barbecuing while the fire is burning, one unit will suffice; however, if your fire pit doesn’t have this feature, you may need a separate barbecue grill.
Barbecue grills come in various sizes, from small to large, and use different heat sources such as charcoal, firewood, gas, or electricity. Choose one that suits the number of people in your group.
Tongs are necessary for moving charcoal or firewood in the fire pit and for flipping food during the barbecue, so having a pair is convenient.
Recommended Products
MacLight Series

MacLight is a lightweight, compact, modular fire pit that can be easily set up in three steps. It folds down to a slim profile, making it ideal for solo or family camping.
It comes with a removable cooking grate, and you can place a trivet or a panel on the side of the unit to adjust the distance from the firebed. Another appealing feature is the ability to enjoy cooking outdoors.
The series includes the stainless steel "MacLight 2" and the "MacLight Titanium," which is made of titanium for greater lightness and durability.
Meba Fire Pit

The Meba Fire Pit is a barbecue grill that doubles as a fire pit, allowing you to enjoy both a campfire and a barbecue at the same time.
To use it, remove the top plate from the "COORDUNIT" (sold separately)—a set of stainless steel legs that open and close in an X-shape and a top plate—and attach it to the legs.
The grilling plate slides left and right, making it easy to adjust the charcoal while cooking. By removing the plate and the internal firebed, it can also be used as a standalone fire pit.
Campfire Mat

This is a fire pit sheet with a distinctive octagonal shape.
It has loops at each corner, so you can secure it to the ground with pegs, or place firewood in the center and carry it using the loops as a firewood carrier.
It is made of a double-layered, flame-resistant fiberglass material. After use, it can be folded and stored in the included case for convenience.
Living Room Items
- Camping Chair
- Camping Tables
- Compact Table
Camping tables and outdoor chairs are essential for enjoying meals and relaxing.
Whether you want to relax while gazing at a campfire (low-style) or enjoy a lively meal with a large group (high-style), be sure to bring products that suit your camping style.
Compact tables are also incredibly handy—use them to set down small items like coffee cups or smartphones, or as a temporary spot for pots and cooking utensils.
Recommended Products
Sleek Modern Chair

The Sleek Modern Chair is incredibly easy to set up—simply spread the legs to the sides, raise the backrest, and adjust the seat with your hands.
With a seat height of 30 cm, it’s ideal for low-style camping, and the sturdy seat ensures your hips don’t sink in, so you won’t get tired even after sitting for long periods.
It features a modern design made of black aluminum, which offers excellent strength and lightness, with armrests crafted from bamboo for a warm, natural feel.
If you’re looking to match it with a table, we recommend the Sleek Modern Table, which is just as easy to set up as the chair. It’s made of the same black aluminum as the chair, with a tabletop crafted from laminated bamboo.
COORDUNIT

The "Cord Unit" can be used as a mini table for one person simply by unfolding the foldable X-shaped legs and placing the stainless steel tabletop on top. It flattens for storage and is lightweight, making it easy to carry.
It offers great versatility—you can connect units side-by-side to create a larger table or stack two vertically to form a shelf for small items.
Available in silver and black, a variety of sets are available.
Rotar Reversible Table

The Rotar Reversible Table is a reversible solo table that can be used with either a stylish black aluminum tabletop or a natural bamboo tabletop.
Simply rotate the legs to use either side, and thanks to a uniquely designed stopper, it offers outstanding stability and safety! It folds down to a slim profile, making it easy to carry.
Bedding
- Sleeping Bags
- Cots
A sleeping bag serves as your bed when staying overnight in a tent. Each product has a "comfort temperature range" rating, so be sure to bring one suitable for the season.
Also, if you’re using a shelter tent without a floor, you’ll need to set up a cot (folding bed) and place your sleeping bag on top of it. We recommend cots that are easy to set up and provide a comfortable night’s sleep.
Recommended Products
UT Cot

The UT Cot is a foldable cot that allows you to adjust the height to high or low as you prefer. It maintains its firmness even when lying down, so your body doesn’t sink in and you won’t feel tired.
When packing up, it folds down compactly and fits into the included storage case, making it easy to carry—a major plus.
For summer camping, we recommend the mesh sheet version, which features a mesh back panel to prevent stuffiness.
NANGA × TOKYO CRAFTS Aurora Tex Square Foot 750

This sleeping bag was created through a collaboration between popular down product manufacturer NANGA and TOKYO CRAFTS. It inherits the specifications of NANGA’s signature Aurora Tex series while adopting a square shape with extra room in the foot area to eliminate any feeling of crampedness.
It’s versatile: you can fully unzip the L-shaped zipper to use it as a blanket, or connect two bags together to create a two-person sleeping bag.
NANGA × TOKYO CRAFTS Sleeping Bag Pillow

This is a custom-made pillow for sleeping bags from the NANGA × TOKYO CRAFTS collaboration, designed to take your camping sleep experience to the next level. Developed in partnership with the trusted sleeping bag manufacturer "NANGA," it features a specialized design that fits perfectly into the hood of the sleeping bag. It provides a level of stability and comfort that cannot be achieved with a standard pillow.
Kitchen Items
- Stove
- Cookware
- Cooking Utensils (Cutting Boards, Knives, Kitchen Shears, etc.)
- Dining Utensils (Tableware, Cutlery, Chopsticks, etc.)
- Cooler
Choose a burner based on your purpose—whether you’re just boiling water or cooking meals.
For cooking utensils, it’s convenient to use a cookware set that includes a full range of items and can be stacked and stored in a single carrying case.
Choose tableware and cutlery that suit your menu and the number of campers.
A cooler that keeps food cold during transport is an essential item for camping year-round.
Recommended Products
Mug

TOKYOCRAFTS offers Sierra Cups in stainless steel, brass, and titanium. They feature measurement markings on the inside, making them convenient for cooking.
Nimitt Seller 32

The "Nimitt Cellar 32" is a hard-sided cooler designed to make camping and outdoor activities even more comfortable, combining functional beauty with practicality. Its unique panel structure and 2-way opening mechanism set it apart from conventional coolers, enabling smooth access to contents—much like a refrigerator—and exceptional usability.
Kiba Soft Cooler

This soft-sided cooler uses extra-thick insulation for superior cooling performance. It comes with a shoulder strap for easy portability. When used with the Cord Unit, it can be set up vertically or horizontally as desired.
Lighting
- Lantern
- Lantern Stand
In outdoor environments, it gets dark from the evening onward, so you’ll need multiple lighting fixtures. Be sure to prepare a main lantern and a sub-lantern.
The main lantern should be hung from a lantern stand to illuminate the entire campsite, while the sub-lantern—which is compact—is needed to provide task lighting when placed on a dining table or cooking station.
Recommended Products
Graph Arm

A compact tabletop LED lantern stand and hanger that significantly improves usability at campsites or in home workspaces. With a freely movable arm and a magnetic base, this versatile piece of gear can be effortlessly set up wherever you need it. It’s perfect for lighting arrangements and organizing small items during camping and outdoor activities.
Sunset Hanger

A lantern hanger that allows you to adjust the height, direction, and angle. When stored, it folds down into a slim, vertical shape and fits neatly into the included case.
CLAYMORE LAMP CANDELLA BLACK SPECIAL

An LED lantern from TOKYO CRAFTS’ exclusive model line that adds a stylish touch to camping, car camping, and nighttime outdoor settings.
This is a special edition of the timeless classic "LAMP CANDELLA" from the popular Korean lighting brand "CLAYMORE," finished in a sleek black color. Despite its compact size, it offers powerful brightness and a variety of light modes, balancing practicality with design.
We also recommend CLAYMORE’s classic model, the CLAYMORE ULTRA MINI.
Other
- Storage Items (Shelves and Storage Boxes)
- Trash bags
- Replacement parts and towels
With storage shelves or boxes, you can keep small items that tend to get scattered all in one place.
Also, since some campsites don’t allow you to dispose of trash on-site, be sure to bring trash bags in about two different sizes.
Things tend to get dirty at campsites. For peace of mind, bring one extra set of clothes and one extra towel for each night you’re staying.
Recommended Products
Gear Bunker

The "Gear Bunker" is a hybrid storage container box that dramatically improves the convenience of loading, organizing, and accessing your camping gear. Its design combines a sturdy aluminum frame with flexible fabric, balancing ease of use with durability.
When used with the top board from the Cord Unit, it doubles as a table.
[By Season] Handy Camping Gear
Spring and Summer
- Insect repellent items (sprays, mosquito coils, etc.)
- Sun protection items (sunscreen lotion, spray, etc.)
- Heat-Beating Gear (Fans, Ice Packs, etc.)
From early spring through summer, don’t forget your sunscreen. Also, since there are more insects in the spring and summer, insect repellent items are essential.
Bringing plenty of neck-mounted cooling fans, small handheld fans, and ice packs will help you stay comfortable.
Fall and Winter Seasons
- Tents suitable for winter camping
- Warmth-retaining items
During the fall and winter seasons, "cold-weather gear" is essential. Depending on the temperature when you go camping, be sure to bring items that can keep you warm inside the tent, such as hot water bottles, adhesive heat packs, and blankets.
Double-check that you haven’t forgotten anything. Have a great time camping!
If you forget essential camping gear, you won’t be able to fully enjoy your trip. We recommend making a list of the items introduced here and packing while checking each one off.
Check your gear thoroughly and enjoy a comfortable camping trip!
TOKYO CRAFTS offers a wide variety of outdoor camping tables, including the Zika Table, Zika Manai, COORDUNIT, MFT, and Coside Table, so you can choose the one that best suits your camping style. In particular, the MFT Multi-Frame Table—a folding camping table released in 2025 that meets IGT standards (allowing the use of flat burners)—has received an overwhelmingly positive response for its innovative design.Whether for barbecues, as a campfire table for solo camping, or for family camping, its compact storage makes it incredibly convenient to use.