Kinmei Moso Bamboo in Usuki: Discover a Rare Bamboo Forest in Oita, Japan
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The Rare Kinmei Moso Bamboo of Usuki
In the quiet countryside of Usuki, bamboo forests spread across gentle hills and valleys. While bamboo is common throughout Japan, Usuki is home to something truly exceptional — a rare variety known as Kinmei Moso Bamboo. This unusual bamboo grows naturally in the forests of Notsu Town and has been designated a Natural Monument of Oita Prefecture.
What Is Kinmei Moso Bamboo?
Kinmei Moso Bamboo is a rare genetic mutation of the common Moso Bamboo. Its most distinctive feature is its vivid coloration:
Yellow stalks with green stripes
Green stalks with yellow striping patterns
These stripes appear in two main forms, both of which can be found in the Notsu area:
Horizontal-striped type
Vertical-striped type
Because of its beauty and rarity, the bamboo grove has been carefully protected. The forest was first confirmed in the 1970s, and by around 1977 the population had grown to approximately 700 stalks, thanks to conservation efforts and sustainable forest management. Walking through the grove feels like stepping into a natural art gallery created by the forest itself.
Usuki: A Town Shaped by Bamboo
Bamboo is more than just part of the scenery in Usuki — it is deeply connected to the region’s culture and daily life. For generations, local bamboo has been used for:
Baskets and traditional crafts
Kitchen utensils
Tea ceremony tools
Eco-friendly building materials
Bamboo charcoal for water purification
Biomass energy
Food (bamboo shoots)
Today, bamboo is gaining renewed attention as a sustainable material, valued for its rapid growth and low environmental impact.
The Magical Bamboo Lantern Festival
Usuki celebrates its rich bamboo culture through the enchanting Usuki Takeyoi Festival. During the festival, thousands of handmade bamboo lanterns illuminate the historic castle town. Locals harvest bamboo from nearby forests and transform it into glowing works of art. When night falls, warm candlelight shines through intricate bamboo designs, turning streets, temples, and samurai districts into a dreamlike landscape.
Visit the Bamboo Forests of Usuki
The festival reflects the community’s deep connection to the surrounding bamboo forests. Here, bamboo is not just a plant — it is part of the town’s history, ecology, and identity.
If you visit Usuki, take time to explore the bamboo forests of Notsu and experience the rare beauty of Kinmei Moso Bamboo for yourself.
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