The bamboo forest in Arashiyama has been damaged — visitors from around the world are carving their names to mark their visits

By / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Department, compiled and reported

The bamboo grove path in Kyoto’s Arashiyama is a famous scenic spot, where the dense bamboo on both sides creates an otherworldly atmosphere. However, with the increase in overseas tourists, the bamboo forest has begun to suffer damage. Aside from taking photos as souvenirs, some travelers have been carving their names into the bamboo to leave a record of their visit.

A rickshaw company in Japan posted several photos on Facebook showing bamboo trees damaged by tourist carvings, which deeply saddened the business owners. These bamboos can only be cut down once they’ve been carved, and if this continues, the bamboo forest will gradually disappear. They also stated that graffiti on bamboo harms the plants, and the grove's bamboo is suffering damage and decreasing. They urged everyone to help protect Arashiyama’s breathtaking scenery.