To investigate the possibility of development as a whitening agent using bamboo extracts (Phyllostachys nigra var. henonis), we measured DPPH assay, NBT/XO assay, intracellular ROS scavenging assay, tyrosinase assay and MSH-induced melanin production in B-16 cells. Bamboo extracts had dose-dependently anti-oxidant activity in DPPH, NBT/XO and intracellular ROS assay. Bamboo extracts appear to inhibit xanthine oxidase directly. Bamboo extracts inhibited not only purified tyrosinase activity but also inhibited tyrosinase activity and melanin production in B16 melanoma cells stimulated by $1{mu}M;{alpha}$-MSH. Anti-oxidant activity and cytotoxicity of ethyl acetate fraction was more potent than those of water fraction, whereas whitening effect of water fraction was stronger than ethyl acetate fraction. Therefore, these results suggest that water fraction of bamboo extracts may be useful for the development as whitening agents reducing cytotoxicity.