In Kyoto, maple leaves typically turn red around December 5, and ginkgo leaves turn yellow around November 24 (Japan Meteorological Agency 1991–2020 normals).
Japanese maple
Ginkgo
Typical color change
December 5
November 24
Typical leaf fall
December 18
December 4
Earliest color change on record
Nov 10 (1976)
Nov 7 (1976)
Latest color change on record
Dec 20 (2024)
Dec 7 (1982)
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 11 days later than the 1961–1990 average.
Color change dates by year
Kyoto: autumn color dates, 1956–2025
● Maple turned red▲ Ginkgo turned yellow┄ 1991–2020 normal
Recent years
Season
Maple red
Maple fall
Ginkgo yellow
Ginkgo fall
2025
Dec 10
Dec 22
Nov 25
Dec 8
2024
Dec 20
Jan 1
Dec 2
Dec 19
2023
Dec 13
Dec 19
Dec 4
Dec 13
2022
Dec 12
Dec 22
Nov 25
Dec 5
2021
—
Dec 20
Nov 26
Dec 17
2020
Dec 7
Dec 21
Nov 20
Nov 30
2019
Dec 10
Dec 21
Nov 21
Dec 1
2018
Dec 12
Dec 25
Nov 27
Dec 1
2017
Dec 1
Dec 11
Nov 22
Dec 1
2016
Dec 6
Dec 15
Nov 17
Nov 24
2015
Dec 14
Dec 24
Nov 20
Nov 27
2014
Dec 9
Dec 17
Nov 21
Nov 29
2013
Dec 5
Dec 17
Nov 26
Nov 30
2012
Dec 7
Dec 15
Nov 16
Nov 25
2011
Dec 14
Dec 24
Dec 1
Dec 4
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