Andrea Fiorentini The Arashiyama bamboo forest, one of Japan's most iconic destinations, is under attack. Nearly 350 stalks have been defaced by tourist graffiti with initials and messages in Latin characters. The deep carvings risk killing the plants and compromising the entire ecosystem of the UNESCO site. The problem, which disappeared during the pandemic, has exploded again in 2025 with the return of mass tourism. Kyoto is considering drastic measures, including cutting down the damaged stalks.
Kyoto authorities are struggling to stop tourists from carving graffiti into the famous Arashiyama bamboo forest, one of Japan’s most iconic destinations.
A municipal inspection revealed that nearly 350 stalks have been defaced with initials, messages and symbols, mostly written in Roman letters. This damage seriously threatens the integrity of the site, located near Tenryuji Temple and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The forest contains approximately 7,000 bamboo stalks, but many are at risk of dying.
Experts warn that deep carvings can kill the plant and cause it to fall, compromising the entire ecosystem. In an attempt to limit the damage, municipal workers have begun covering the graffiti with green adhesive tape, but residents are protesting: they say this ruins the natural beauty of the place even more.
The vandalism problem had disappeared during the pandemic, when international tourism came to a halt, but it has exploded again with force in 2025 alongside the massive return of foreign visitors.
Now the Kyoto municipality is considering a drastic measure: cutting down the damaged stalks to prevent the entire forest from being compromised.
Local leaders have launched a heartfelt appeal:
“Carve your memories in your heart, not in the bamboo.”
A clear message that, judging by the current condition of the forest, many tourists seem to completely ignore.
