We found that the acetone extract of the peel of Japanese persimmon (Diospyros kaki 'Fuyu') inhibits melanin biosynthesis in mouse B16 melanoma cells. The activity-guided purification of the extract resulted in isolation of two active compounds, which have been identified as flavonoid glycosides, isoquercitrin (quercetin-3-O-glucoside) and hyperin (quercetin-3-O-galactoside) by spectral analysis. Isoquercitrin and hyperin strongly inhibited the production of melanin (IC(50): 21.7 and 18.2 microM, respectively). The inhibitory effects were found to be mediated by suppression of tyrosinase expression.