Tohoku autumn leaves: when the maples turn red in 6 cities
Maple leaves turn red in Tohoku from around 12 November in Akita to around 25 November in Yamagata in an average year (1991–2020), by the Japan Meteorological Agency's records for 6 cities.
The 6 cities in Tohoku
Sorted from the earliest to the latest average date.
- Cities
- 6
- First red
- 12 Nov
- Last red
- 25 Nov
| City | Maple turns red | Maple leaves fall | Red in 2025 | Ginkgo turns yellow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akita秋田 | 12 Nov | 22 Nov | 14 Nov (2 days later) | 5 Nov |
| Aomori青森 | 13 Nov | 23 Nov | 10 Nov (3 days earlier) | 2 Nov |
| Morioka盛岡 | 13 Nov | 25 Nov | 12 Nov (1 day earlier) | 30 Oct |
| Fukushima福島 | 17 Nov | 5 Dec | 19 Nov (2 days later) | 31 Oct |
| Sendai仙台 | 21 Nov | 6 Dec | 20 Nov (1 day earlier) | 23 Nov |
| Yamagata山形 | 25 Nov | 9 Dec | 1 Dec (6 days later) | 10 Nov |
Sources: Japan Meteorological Agency — Maple leaves turning red: dates in 2025 and 2026 (かえでの紅葉日) · Japan Meteorological Agency — Maple leaves turning red, every year since 1953 (CSV 015) · Japan Meteorological Agency — Maple leaves falling, every year since 1953 (CSV 016) · Japan Meteorological Agency — Ginkgo leaves turning yellow, every year since 1953 (CSV 013)
How the red moves through the region
From the JMA's map of average dates (1991–2020).
- 20 November: Tohoku and eastern Hokuriku
The map lines are a broad picture. The averages of the 6 cities in Tohoku run from 12 November (Akita) to 25 November (Yamagata).
Sources: Japan Meteorological Agency — Maple leaves turning red: map of normal dates, 1991–2020 (かえでの紅葉日)
The 2025 season in Tohoku
Against the 1991–2020 average, by the JMA's table.
- Later than average in 2025: Akita (2 days later), Fukushima (2 days later), Yamagata (6 days later).
- Earlier than average in 2025: Aomori (3 days earlier), Morioka (1 day earlier), Sendai (1 day earlier).
Sources: Japan Meteorological Agency — Maple leaves turning red: dates in 2025 and 2026 (かえでの紅葉日)
City pages in Tohoku
Frequently asked questions
When do the leaves change colour in Tohoku?
In an average year (1991–2020) the JMA's sample maples in Tohoku turn red from around 12 November in Akita to around 25 November in Yamagata.
Where in Tohoku do the leaves turn red first?
Akita, around 12 November on average. Yamagata is the last, around 25 November.
Related items
Sources for this page
- Japan Meteorological Agency Maple leaves turning red: dates in 2025 and 2026 (かえでの紅葉日)checked October 2, 2026
- Japan Meteorological Agency Maple leaves turning red, every year since 1953 (CSV 015)checked October 2, 2026
- Japan Meteorological Agency Maple leaves falling, every year since 1953 (CSV 016)checked October 2, 2026
- Japan Meteorological Agency Ginkgo leaves turning yellow, every year since 1953 (CSV 013)checked October 2, 2026
- Japan Meteorological Agency Maple leaves turning red: map of normal dates, 1991–2020 (かえでの紅葉日)checked October 2, 2026
- Japan Meteorological Agency Guidelines for biological season observations (生物季節観測指針)checked October 2, 2026
Compiled by Japan Japan !! · Updated October 2, 2026