In Kumamoto, maple leaves typically turn red around December 2, and ginkgo leaves turn yellow around November 27 (Japan Meteorological Agency 1991–2020 normals).
Japanese maple
Ginkgo
Typical color change
December 2
November 27
Typical leaf fall
December 15
December 8
Earliest color change on record
Nov 1 (1963)
Oct 11 (1955)
Latest color change on record
Jan 2 (1980)
Dec 18 (2024)
The best viewing period is usually between the color change and the leaf fall dates above.
Over the last 10 years, the maple color change has come about 9 days later than the 1961–1990 average.
Color change dates by year
Kumamoto: autumn color dates, 1953–2025
● Maple turned red▲ Ginkgo turned yellow┄ 1991–2020 normal
Recent years
Season
Maple red
Maple fall
Ginkgo yellow
Ginkgo fall
2025
Dec 15
Dec 21
Dec 12
Dec 15
2024
Dec 19
Dec 28
Dec 18
Dec 25
2023
Dec 6
Dec 13
Nov 24
Dec 1
2022
Dec 12
Dec 21
Dec 12
Dec 20
2021
Nov 29
Dec 2
Nov 25
Dec 2
2020
Dec 4
Dec 23
Nov 24
Dec 9
2019
Dec 4
Dec 16
Dec 2
Dec 10
2018
—
—
—
Dec 6
2017
Nov 29
Dec 8
Nov 29
Dec 8
2016
Nov 30
Dec 19
Dec 7
Dec 19
2015
Dec 16
Dec 22
Dec 16
Dec 22
2014
Nov 27
Dec 3
Dec 15
Dec 17
2013
Dec 9
Dec 11
Dec 2
Dec 10
2012
Nov 22
Dec 4
Nov 21
Dec 4
2011
Dec 1
Dec 9
Dec 6
Dec 16
Planning a trip?
Use the trip planner to see where autumn colors were at their best on your travel dates in each of the last 30 years.
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency phenological observations (processed by Japan Bloom Calendar). These are historical records and averages, not a forecast. About the data