In Sendai (Miyagi), maple leaves typically turn red around November 21, and ginkgo leaves turn yellow around November 23 (Japan Meteorological Agency 1991–2020 normals).
Japanese maple
Ginkgo
Typical color change
November 21
November 23
Typical leaf fall
December 6
December 5
Earliest color change on record
Oct 25 (1956)
Oct 25 (1969)
Latest color change on record
Dec 1 (2006)
Dec 8 (2006)
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
Sendai: 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
Nov 20
Nov 28
Nov 21
Dec 4
2024
Nov 22
Dec 5
Nov 28
Dec 12
2023
Nov 24
Dec 8
Dec 5
Dec 14
2022
Nov 24
Nov 29
Nov 28
Dec 9
2021
Nov 24
Dec 1
Nov 30
Dec 13
2020
Nov 23
Nov 28
Dec 1
Dec 16
2019
Nov 26
Dec 6
Nov 29
Dec 14
2018
Nov 26
Dec 5
Dec 1
Dec 9
2017
Nov 21
Dec 6
Nov 29
Dec 9
2016
Nov 17
Nov 28
Nov 15
Nov 28
2015
Nov 17
Nov 22
Nov 22
Dec 4
2014
Nov 22
Nov 29
Nov 20
Dec 2
2013
Nov 27
Dec 11
Nov 22
Dec 6
2012
Nov 25
Dec 6
Nov 28
Dec 6
2011
Nov 25
Dec 4
Nov 27
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