In Sapporo (Hokkaido), maple leaves typically turn red around October 28, and ginkgo leaves turn yellow around November 4 (Japan Meteorological Agency 1991–2020 normals).
Japanese maple
Ginkgo
Typical color change
October 28
November 4
Typical leaf fall
November 5
November 11
Earliest color change on record
Sep 26 (1963)
Oct 7 (1964)
Latest color change on record
Nov 11 (2024)
Nov 15 (2012)
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 20 days later than the 1961–1990 average.
Color change dates by year
Sapporo: 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
Nov 6
Nov 9
Nov 7
Nov 9
2024
Nov 11
Nov 13
Nov 12
Nov 13
2023
Nov 10
Nov 17
Nov 5
Nov 9
2022
Nov 10
Nov 14
Nov 4
Nov 13
2021
Nov 4
Nov 9
Oct 29
Nov 9
2020
Nov 7
Nov 12
Nov 2
Nov 9
2019
Nov 5
Nov 14
Oct 29
Nov 7
2018
Nov 9
Nov 13
Nov 10
Nov 17
2017
Nov 2
Nov 5
Oct 31
Nov 2
2016
Nov 9
—
—
Nov 11
2015
Oct 29
Nov 29
Nov 2
Nov 12
2014
Oct 30
Nov 3
Oct 30
Nov 3
2013
Nov 3
Nov 8
Nov 10
Nov 12
2012
—
Nov 12
Nov 15
Nov 18
2011
Oct 26
Nov 6
Nov 6
Nov 15
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