To provide a method and apparatus for opening and/or closing the upper guide mechanism provided in a transfer passage of a packaging device for packaging rod-like articles in tobacco processing industry.

This method for opening the upper guide mechanism 101 comprises detaching a holding members 104 and 116 movably fixed, retreating at least one end 121 or 122 of a member 102 or 103 of the upper guide mechanism 101 in order to avoid collision with a transfer passage 100 of members 102 and 103 provided in the front and/or the rear of transfer passage of a packaging device and separate the upper guide mechanism from the transfer passage by rotating the guide mechanism. This method for closing the upper guide mechanism comprises retreating at least one end of the upper guide mechanism 101, pushing out at least one end of the upper guide mechanism 101 and fixing a holding member detachably fixed. In this apparatus for opening and/or closing the upper guide mechanism 101, at least one end belongs to a first slider 107 or 108 and the slider is constituted so as to be movable linearly, particularly in transfer direction of the transfer passage or in the direction opposite to the transfer direction after the holding member is detached.