In Hikone (Shiga), maple leaves typically turn red around November 28, and ginkgo leaves turn yellow around November 20 (Japan Meteorological Agency 1991–2020 normals).
Japanese maple
Ginkgo
Typical color change
November 28
November 20
Typical leaf fall
December 11
December 2
Earliest color change on record
Nov 2 (1974)
Oct 13 (1969)
Latest color change on record
Dec 7 (2015)
Dec 2 (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 12 days later than the 1961–1990 average.
Color change dates by year
Hikone: 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 1
Dec 12
Nov 26
Dec 4
2024
Dec 2
Dec 20
Dec 2
Dec 14
2023
Dec 1
Dec 13
Nov 24
Dec 7
2022
Nov 30
Dec 15
Nov 21
Nov 30
2021
Dec 6
Dec 13
Nov 26
Dec 3
2020
Dec 4
Dec 15
Nov 24
Dec 3
2019
Dec 4
Dec 18
Nov 27
Dec 13
2018
Dec 6
Dec 14
Nov 26
Dec 5
2017
Nov 27
Dec 7
Nov 8
Nov 17
2016
Dec 1
Dec 7
Nov 21
Nov 22
2015
Dec 7
Dec 15
Nov 10
Nov 20
2014
Dec 1
Dec 11
Nov 17
Dec 1
2013
Nov 29
Dec 10
Nov 19
Nov 27
2012
Nov 28
Dec 6
Nov 16
Nov 28
2011
Nov 28
Dec 15
Nov 28
Dec 5
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