The long-running open-world racing series is headed to its most requested destination yet. Playground Games has officially confirmed Forza Horizon 6, scheduled for release in 2026, will be set in Japan. The announcement was made during the Xbox showcase at Tokyo Game Show 2025, along with a teaser trailer and a message to fans who have been hoping for this move for years.
Japan: A Long-Awaited Horizon Locale
Fans of the Horizon franchise have long pushed for Japan as a future setting. The picturesque landscapes, rich automotive culture, mix of modern cities and rural countryside, and the country’s natural beauty have all made it a popular choice in speculation and wish lists. Playground Games’ decision to go there reflects both fan demand and the technical maturity they believe the series has reached.
Art Director Don Arceta emphasized that the team feels this is the right time to bring Japan into the Horizon Festival because their previous work (such as the Hot Wheels expansion for Forza Horizon 5) has helped build up the capability to represent things like elevated highways, urban complexity, and varied terrain.
What We Know: Map, Environments, Features
Although we still have much to learn, several confirmed details give a good idea of what Forza Horizon 6 in Japan will look and feel like.
Urban & Natural Variety
- Tokyo will be a major part of the world. The developers promise “neon lights and towering buildings,” elevated roads/structures, and an urban environment that is one of the most detailed and layered the series has seen.
- Mount Fuji has already been teased in the reveal trailer, making it a landmark players will likely encounter.
- Rural, mountainous, and natural landscapes will contrast the city life—expect forested roads, mountain passes, rice fields, and serene countryside. These areas are poised to offer drifting routes, scenic drives, and possibly off-road or mixed-terrain challenges.
Map Scale & Density
The map for Forza Horizon 6 is described as the biggest yet for the franchise, both in scale and in the richness of content. Playground claims the Japan map will be “bigger” than past entries (e.g. FH5’s map in Mexico) and also “more full,” meaning denser in points of interest, activities, hidden roads, side quests, etc.
Cultural Authenticity
One of the standout points in the announcement is the emphasis on doing Japan right. The developers are working with a cultural consultant, Kyoko Yamashita, to ensure authenticity—not just in scenery, but in small touches: street sounds, signage, audio cues, and ambient detail. The goal is to go beyond the aesthetic and give players a world that feels lived-in.
Seasons are returning, and in Japan these are particularly evocative: cherry blossoms, autumn foliage, winter snow, etc. The team says seasonal changes will affect not just visuals but the tone, ambience, and possibly gameplay feel.
Platforms & Release Details
- The initial release will be on Xbox Series X|S and PC in 2026.
- A version for PlayStation 5 is planned post-launch, though no specific date was given.
- Microsoft appears committed to showing more in early 2026, including likely gameplay, more of the map, car roster, and specific features.
Why Japan Makes Sense Now
Several factors combine to make Japan a natural and timely choice for Forza Horizon 6.
- Fan demand has been strong. Japan has repeatedly been one of the most requested settings among Horizon fans.
- Technical maturity: Playground Games noted that prior projects (especially FH5 with its Hot Wheels expansion) contributed tools and experience relevant to building city infrastructure like elevated highways, complex intersections, and dense urban environments. They felt they could now “do Japan justice.”
- Cultural richness: Japan offers a wide variety of landscapes, architecture, automotive culture (tuner and drift scenes, kei cars, etc.), seasons, and aesthetic contrast between ultra-modern and deeply traditional elements. It gives developers a lot of inspiration for variety in both driving and visuals.
What Fans Are Hoping For
Given what’s been revealed, here are some features and elements fans are likely looking forward to, or hoping will be included:
- Deep car culture representation — tuning, drift modes, classic Japanese sportscars, kei cars, iconic models like the Skyline, Supra, and others.
- Challenging mountain roads and touge-style races (narrow, winding mountain passes).
- Urban night racing in Tokyo, taking advantage of neon, verticality, highway networks and city traffic.
- Seasonal events tied to Japanese cultural festivals (cherry blossom season, winter snow etc.).
- Highly detailed environmental interactions — ambient sound, cultural landmarks, local fauna/flora, and small neighborhood details.
- Varied gameplay modes: street races, open-road exploration, stunt jumps, maybe drift-specific challenges.
Cautions & Unknowns
There are still many unanswered questions that will matter for how successful Forza Horizon 6 becomes:
Conclusion
Forza Horizon 6’s confirmation to be set in Japan for 2026 is a major moment for the series and its fanbase. This is a setting many have waited for since the early entries in the Horizon franchise. With Tokyo’s neon cityscapes, Mount Fuji, rural landscapes, seasons, car culture, and an emphasis on authenticity, the game has the potential to raise the bar for open-world racing once more.
As 2026 approaches, fans will be looking for announcements about the car roster, gameplay mechanics, how seasons and cultural details are implemented, and how databases like map size compare to Forza Horizon 5. If Playground Games delivers on the promise, Forza Horizon 6 could become a standout title—not just for its locale, but for how it blends culture, scenery, and driving in a way that feels alive.
