In Utsunomiya (Tochigi), maple leaves typically turn red around November 20, and ginkgo leaves turn yellow around November 29 (Japan Meteorological Agency 1991–2020 normals).
Japanese maple
Ginkgo
Typical color change
November 20
November 29
Typical leaf fall
December 3
December 7
Earliest color change on record
Oct 25 (1973)
Oct 23 (1961)
Latest color change on record
Dec 9 (2021)
Dec 11 (2019)
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
Utsunomiya: 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 28
Dec 15
Nov 28
Dec 5
2024
Dec 6
Dec 20
Dec 3
Dec 16
2023
Dec 5
Dec 12
Dec 5
Dec 15
2022
Dec 2
Dec 9
Dec 2
Dec 9
2021
Dec 9
Dec 18
Dec 4
Dec 14
2020
Dec 7
Dec 14
—
Dec 16
2019
Dec 6
Dec 23
Dec 11
Dec 13
2018
Nov 9
Dec 17
Dec 2
Dec 12
2017
Nov 22
Dec 8
Nov 30
Dec 9
2016
Nov 18
Dec 6
Dec 3
Dec 6
2015
Dec 3
Dec 12
Dec 3
Dec 12
2014
Nov 26
Dec 6
Dec 3
Dec 8
2013
Nov 25
Dec 10
Nov 29
Dec 8
2012
Nov 29
Dec 9
Dec 3
Dec 5
2011
Dec 4
Dec 13
Dec 7
Dec 11
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