In case you missed it, Forza Horizon 6 is officially heading to Japan in 2026 – and it looks like the dream setting fans have been asking for since the first game.
The announcement dropped during the Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2025 livestream, confirming the next Horizon Festival will launch on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with a PS5 version coming later. Wishlists are already live on Xbox and Steam.
The Long-Awaited Japan Setting
After years of requests, Playground Games is finally bringing Japan to Forza Horizon. The new map mixes Tokyo’s busy streets, mountain roads, and quiet rural areas filled with shrines and cherry blossoms.
It will not be a full-scale recreation, but rather a compact open world that still captures everything people imagine when they think “Japan”: neon cities, winding drift routes, and plenty of spots to just cruise and enjoy the view.
A few confirmed highlights include:
- Tokyo’s neon city driving and vertical highways.
- Drift-friendly mountain passes inspired by touge routes.
- Countryside roads with shrines and scenic views.
- Seasonal weather that actually affects visuals and handling.
Built with Real-World Research
The dev team did on-site research across Japan and worked with cultural consultant Kyoko Yamashita to make sure it feels right. From street signs to ambient sounds, everything is meant to feel authentic – not like a postcard version of Japan.
This means that players can expect the world to react naturally, with ambient chimes in train stations, summer insects humming and buzzing in the countryside, and a changing atmosphere depending on the season.
Car Culture in the Spotlight
Japan’s car culture will be a big focus this time around. We are talking JDM icons, drift builds, kei cars, and other custom setups that make the scene so special. The progression is also rumored to be slower and more rewarding, so that you can work your way up instead of starting with supercars right away.
Seasonal Vibes
As mentioned previously, the game will have dynamic seasons returning too, but they now have Japan’s real seasonal cycle in mind:
- Spring will feature Cherry blossoms across the map.
- Summer brings bright festivals and humid weather.
- Winter includes snowy roads and mountain conditions.
This should make the world feel alive – not just visually, but in sound and atmosphere, too.
What About PS5?
The game will release first on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with the PS5 version arriving later. If we look at similar Xbox-published games, the gap will likely be around four to six months.
If you did not catch the Forza Horizon 6 reveal trailer during Tokyo Game Show, you can check it out below:
Even though the announcement flew under the radar for some, this is one of those “finally!” moments for racing fans. A Japan setting has been at the top of the wish list for years, and with its mix of Tokyo nightlife, drift culture, and peaceful roads, Forza Horizon 6 sounds like the perfect next stop for the festival.
You can read the full reveal on the official Xbox Wire post.
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