Melanogenesis refers to the biosynthesis of melanin pigment in melanocytes. Melanogenesis is controlled by the intra- and extracellular environments. In the present study, to develop a new whitening agent, it was investigated the antioxidant activity and the inhibitory effect of Ailanthi Radicis Cortex extract on tyrosinase activity and on melanogenesis in the B16/F1 melanoma cells. The inhibition ratio of tyrosinase activity of ethylacetate fraction from Ailanthi Radicis Cortex was higher than that of arbutin. The ethylacetate fraction showed scavenging activities of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and superoxide anion radicals in a dose dependent manner. The highest inhibitory activity of melanogenesis was also in ethylacetate fraction ($40.0{pm}5%$ at the concentration of $400{mu}g/ml$). This study demonstrates that the Ailanthi Radicis Cortex extract might be used to be a potential agent for skin whitening.