What this guide covers
- Rules for gear that uses fire or fuel
- Items such as knives and poles that cannot be carried on board but can be checked
1. Fire, fuel and gas
| Item | Carry-on baggage | Checked baggage |
|---|---|---|
| Portable gas stoves, gas burners (the unit itself) | Allowed (with no gas left) | Allowed (with no gas left) |
| Gas cartridges for portable gas stoves and burners | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Camping gasoline lanterns, oil lanterns, gasoline stoves | Not allowed | Allowed if there is no fuel inside and the cap is closed |
| Lighter fuel (gas, oil) | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Charcoal and activated charcoal for burning | Not allowed (allowed if proven not hazardous by UN tests) | Not allowed (same) |
| Fire starters, metal matches, flint and steel | Allowed | Allowed |
| Fire extinguishers | Not allowed | Not allowed |
Lighters and matches: one small one must be carried on your person on board (see also the table in Liquid rules on flights).
Source: MLIT: "Examples of Dangerous Goods by Air Transportation" (English version, last updated April 24, 2026) (retrieved 2026-09-27)
2. Protective gear, blades and poles
| Item | Carry-on baggage | Checked baggage |
|---|---|---|
| Bear spray | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Knives | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Trekking poles | Allowed if 60cm or less when folded and not fitted with a sharp metal tip | Allowed |
| Ice axes, crampons | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Shovels | Not allowed (allowed if judged not to be a weapon, such as a garden trowel) | Allowed |
Source: MLIT: "Examples of Dangerous Goods by Air Transportation" (English version, last updated April 24, 2026) (retrieved 2026-09-27)
3. Other items
| Item | Carry-on baggage | Checked baggage |
|---|---|---|
| Ski and snowboard wax (solid) | Allowed | Allowed |
| Ski and snowboard wax (liquid, paste, powder) | Not allowed (liquids with a flash point above 60°C are allowed) | Not allowed (same) |
| Oxygen cylinders (other than medical) | Not allowed | Allowed if no gas remains |
| Avalanche rescue backpacks | Allowed with conditions, up to 1 (200mg of explosive or less, etc.; packed to prevent accidental activation and kept in your baggage) | Allowed with conditions, up to 1 |
Source: MLIT: "Examples of Dangerous Goods by Air Transportation" (English version, last updated April 24, 2026) (retrieved 2026-09-27)
According to MLIT, even an item listed as allowed may not be carried on board if the airline or security inspector determines that it can be used as a weapon due to its material, strength, shape, etc. Replicas and similar items of restricted items are also restricted.
Some airlines have stricter rules. On international flights, rules of other countries' authorities may also apply.