Graffiti scars increase in bamboo forest in Arashiyama, Kyoto

Hundreds of bamboo poles in Arashiyama’s famous bamboo forest were damaged by carved graffiti. According to a recent inspection, at least 350 bamboo poles were damaged along the popular bamboo trail, one of Kyoto’s most photographed and visited destinations. Officials have warned the carvings could cause lasting harm to the plants, prompting calls for stronger conservation measures and responsible tourism.

Bamboo graffiti and its meaning

Known for its ethereal beauty and cultural significance, the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest now bears traces of the use of knives and keys to carve initials, messages and symbols into its smooth green surface. Most of the graffiti is written in Roman letters, but some include Japanese, Chinese and Korean text, suggesting the problem involves multiple groups of tourists.

Experts warn that deep etching can cause fatal damage to bamboo, causing the stalks to rot or collapse. City officials are now considering cutting down the most scarred plants for safety reasons, while volunteers try to hide the carvings with green tape.

Once the carving is complete, the scars on the bamboo will remain visible for the rest of the plant’s life, hastening decay and diminishing the harmonious beauty of the forest.

The rise of inconsiderate tourists

This is nothing new: similar acts of vandalism have been 2018 This prompted local residents and monks from nearby Tenryuji Temple to launch an anti-defacement campaign. Then, as tourism rapidly declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, so did the graffiti incidents.

As tourism rebounds sharply after the pandemic, incidents of vandalism have also surged. Arashiyama, once peaceful during travel restrictions, now faces increasing overcrowding and what locals call “mingyong tourism,” or nuisance behavior.

Across Japan, popular destinations are grappling with similar issues, ranging from Tourists do pull-ups on the torii gate arrive Drunk tourists vandalize legendary temple. The Kyoto City Tourism Association, as well as common-sense foreigners (who will unfortunately be subject to a backlash from growing anti-tourism sentiment) urge visitors to show restraint and cultural sensitivity.

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