This study was carried out to determine the effects of light controls and leaf mold on root growth and physiological responses of Atractylodes japonica growing in forest farming. The experiment was performed by light controls (100%, 62.5%, 40.3% and 19.7% of full sunlight) and application of leaf mold to soil. Height, stem diameter, number of flower buds and root collar diameter were the highest in leaf mold within 62.5% of full sunlight (relative light intensity 62.5%). And these were the higher in leaf mold within each light level. As the shading level increased, light saturation point and maximum photosynthesis rate decreased. As the light level decreased, SPAD value increased in control and leaf mold. As a result of surveying the whole experiment, A. japonica was judged worse root growth under the lower light level. It was concluded that the light level was one of the most important factors to produce A. japonica. Also, producing high-quality of A. japonica with the price competitiveness by using leaf mold like the experiment can be an effective way to increase incomes for farmers.