TOKYO – The neon avenues, misty views of Mount Fuji, and tight alpine roads are set to host the next Horizon Festival. After years of rumours and fan requests, Playground Games and Xbox have confirmed Forza Horizon 6, with Japan as the setting and a planned 2026 release.
The reveal, shown in a cinematic teaser during the Xbox Tokyo Game Show Showcase on 25 September, sparked huge excitement worldwide and hints at the most ambitious open-world map the series has attempted.
The teaser, which briefly appeared early on Instagram, starts with a sweep of wristbands from earlier Horizon Festivals, a nod to Colorado, Australia, and Mexico. It then cuts to Mount Fuji at dawn, petals on the breeze, and a short line announcing Japan and 2026. The sub‑one‑minute clip mixes big-city speed with quiet countryside.
Elevated expressways weave through Tokyo’s skyline, farm roads slice past rice fields, and shifting seasons promise snow, rain, and sun across the Japanese Alps. The studio says this will be the most complex and detailed drivable space in a Horizon game so far.
Japanese and Western Design
For long-time fans, Japan has felt like fate. Since the first game hit the American Rockies in 2012, players have pushed for a Japanese map, thanks to the country’s rich car culture. Toyota, Nissan, and Honda built icons that fuelled JDM legends, from Skyline GT‑Rs to nimble kei cars.
Art director Don Arceta told Xbox Wire that Japan has been the top request since the beginning, and that new tech, including elevated road systems proven in Forza Horizon 5’s Hot Wheels expansion, lets the team finally do it right.
The choice of Japan grew from both passion and planning. Cultural consultant Kyoko Yamashita, known for bridging Japanese and Western design, said the team is focused on authenticity. That means more than scenery.
Expect tuning shops that nod to Akihabara’s spirit, touge runs inspired by roads like Fujimi Kaido, and deep respect for the local scene. On Xbox Series X|S and PC, seasonal weather returns after Forza Horizon 4 and 5, now with bigger shifts across the map.
Autumn reds could blanket highways, winter storms may test drift lines, and spring rain might turn backroads into slippery challenges. Insider Gaming says these changes will feel more immersive and could affect races and free-roam choices in real time.
Hype has been building fast. After the showcase, X and Reddit were filled with posts calling it the dream setting after 13 years of waiting. Popular wishlists call for deeper tuning tools, a serious upgrade to drifting, and nods to heroes like Smokey Nagata or late‑night Wangan runs.
Forza Horizon 6 Japan Momentum
One viral post asked for a JDM focus with a City Pop soundtrack. Over on r/ForzaHorizon, fans debated map size, said to be the biggest and most complete yet, and picked apart reports of kei car scans that surfaced earlier in the year. Even skeptics who once doubted Tokyo’s inclusion have come around.
The buzz reflects how Forza Horizon 6 Japan moved from a lively racer to a cultural highlight. The series has passed 40 million players, and Forza Horizon 5 in Mexico sold strongly out of the gate, praised for its festival feel and near‑photoreal sights.
Forza Horizon 6 Japan builds on that momentum. It is set to launch on Xbox Series X|S and PC in 2026, with a post‑launch port to PlayStation 5 as part of Microsoft’s wider multi‑platform push after FH5 found success on PS5. There is no exact date yet, though previous releases suggest a September to November window that lines up with autumn leaves. Pricing and editions are not confirmed, but wishlists are open on the Microsoft Store and Steam.
Creators and critics see this as a big moment for the franchise. Commentators on X have called it a love letter to Japan’s roads, rituals, and car communities. Despite industry shake‑ups, including layoffs at Turn 10 Studios, excitement around Playground’s focus remains high.
Some voices want the team to avoid live‑service bloat and keep the heart of the series intact, with driving and music front and centre. Others raise cultural concerns, which Yamashita says the team is addressing.
More details are due in early 2026, with a possible developer update in January. Cherry blossoms, city lights, and mountain passes are lining up. Forza Horizon 6 Japan is not just visiting Japan; it plans to own the touge. Start your engines.
