Forza Horizon 6 All Locations

The Horizon Festival has always been about more than racing. It’s a celebration of culture, geography, and the raw joy of driving. After five globe-trotting installments—from the sun-drenched coasts of Australia to the ancient pyramids of Mexico—Playground Games has finally answered the community’s loudest plea: Forza Horizon 6 is coming to Japan. Unveiled at the 2025 Tokyo Game Show with a cinematic teaser that left millions speechless, the game promises to launch in late 2026 across Xbox Series X|S, PC, and—for the first time ever—PlayStation 5. This isn’t just a new map. It’s a homecoming for a franchise that has long flirted with Japan’s automotive soul, now ready to immerse players in a living, breathing archipelago where every road tells a story.

Japan was never a question of if but when. Since the series debuted in 2012, fans have flooded forums, social media, and even developer Q&As with one persistent dream: “Bring Horizon to Japan.” The country’s influence has been woven into every game—JDM icons like the Nissan Skyline GT-R, Toyota Supra, and Mazda RX-7 have starred in garages since day one. But a full Japanese setting? That required scale, respect, and technological muscle. Creative director Marco Arceta confirmed in a post-reveal interview that the team spent over four years scouting real-world locations, partnering with Japanese cultural consultants, and rebuilding entire prefectures from LiDAR scans and drone footage. The result? A map exceeding 120 square kilometers—larger than Forza Horizon 5—spanning Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu, connected by drivable ferries and high-speed shinkansen cutscenes.

The diversity of Japan’s landscape is the star. Start in Horizon City, a fictional megacity inspired by Tokyo, Osaka, and Yokohama fused into one neon-drenched metropolis. Shibuya Crossing becomes a drift zone where 24 players can battle for King of the Hill. The Rainbow Bridge transforms into a speed trap at midnight, its reflection shimmering in Tokyo Bay. Akihabara’s otaku district hosts arcade-style mini-games—think virtual reality racing pods hidden in maid cafés. But leave the city limits, and the tone shifts dramatically. Within minutes, you’re winding through the Japanese Alps, where narrow touge roads demand inch-perfect braking in a lightweight Honda S2000. Cherry blossoms carpet the asphalt in spring; autumn paints the mountains in crimson and gold; winter turns the same passes into ice-slicked challenges requiring studded tires and nerves of steel.

Seasonal change isn’t cosmetic—it’s gameplay. Playground Games has evolved the dynamic weather system into a full four-season cycle that rotates weekly. Spring brings drifting sakura petals that obscure vision on high-speed runs. Summer storms flood coastal roads in Kyushu, creating impromptu rallycross stages. Autumn foliage clogs radiators if you push too hard off-road. Winter? That’s when Hokkaido earns its reputation as the “Alaska of Japan.” Frozen lakes become ice racing circuits, volcanic hot springs steam up windscreens, and blizzards reduce visibility to whiteout conditions. Your garage adapts: swap to snow tires, lower suspension for touge, or lift a Subaru for forest trails. The map evolves with you.

Exploration is rewarded like never before. Hidden barns dot rural landscapes—abandoned shrines in Kyoto house a pristine 1998 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V; a crumbling ryokan in Nagano hides a first-generation NSX. Collectibles include real-world onsen (hot springs) where you can park, relax in first-person, and trigger ambient audio logs from local drivers sharing folklore. Cultural festivals anchor the calendar: summer obon lantern races along the coast, autumn drift matsuri in Gunma, winter snow sculpture contests in Sapporo. Each event introduces unique vehicles—imagine unlocking a pastel-wrapped kei truck for a micro-car parade through narrow alleyways.

The car list leans heavily into Japan’s legacy while embracing its future. Over 700 vehicles are confirmed at launch, with 150+ JDM classics making their series debut. Think Datsun 240Z, initial D-inspired AE86 Trueno, and even licensed bosozoku builds with glowing exhausts and shakotan stance. Modern heroes like the 2026 GR Corolla and Nissan Z Nismo sit alongside concepts never seen outside Tokyo Motor Show halls. Customization reaches new depths: official partnerships with Liberty Walk, Rocket Bunny, and HKS allow authentic widebody kits, while a new kanji livery editor lets players design decals using traditional calligraphy brushes. Electric and hybrid tuning arrives too—modify a Toyota bZ4X for silent forest runs or push a Rimac Nevera through Tokyo’s expressways.

Multiplayer evolves into a social ecosystem. Horizon Islands return as persistent online hubs, but now with Japanese flair: floating torii gate lobbies, rooftop drift arenas atop skyscrapers, and seasonal leaderboards tied to real-world events like the Fuji Speedway 24-hour race. A new mode, Touge Trials, pits two drivers in a best-of-five mountain duel—winner takes the loser’s custom livery. Cross-play ensures PlayStation, Xbox, and PC players share the same roads, while Xbox Game Pass day-one access lowers the barrier for newcomers. A guided Horizon Tour mode eases rookies into Japan’s complexity, with narrated expeditions unlocking regions progressively.

Accessibility and inclusion are baked in. Color-blind modes, remappable controls, and a “Casual Cruise” difficulty let anyone enjoy the scenery. Subtitles support English, Japanese, and ten other languages, with optional romaji for Japanese voice lines. The soundtrack? A love letter to city pop, J-rock, and synthwave—think Tatsuro Yamashita remixes alongside original scores inspired by Initial D. Radio stations include “Horizon J-Pop,” “Touge FM,” and “Onsen Chill,” each unlocking as you explore.

Beyond gameplay, Forza Horizon 6 is a cultural bridge. Playground Games consulted with Japanese historians, racers, and artists to avoid stereotypes. No cartoonish “samurai drift” clichés—instead, authentic details like roadside Jizo statues, vending machines selling Pocari Sweat, and seasonal food trucks offering takoyaki. The festival itself adapts: summer yukata-wearing NPCs, winter kotatsu lounges in player-owned homes. It’s respect disguised as fun.

As 2026 approaches, anticipation builds. Early access begins November 2026 for premium editions, with full release following in December. Monthly content drops—new cars, events, even a rumored Okinawa expansion—will keep the archipelago alive for years. Forza Horizon 6 isn’t just the best racing game of the generation; it’s a digital love letter to a country where driving is art, nature is sacred, and every road leads to wonder.

So tune your ride, learn your apexes, and practice your “konnichiwa.” Japan isn’t waiting—it’s revving. The ultimate road trip begins soon. Will you answer the call?