Forza Horizon 6 Is Taking The Festival To Japan, And It’s Going To Be Epic!

It’s official: Forza Horizon 6 is finally coming, and it’s taking the legendary open-world racing festival somewhere fans have been begging for since the very first game: Japan.

Announced during the Xbox showcase at Tokyo Game Show 2025, Playground Games is setting the stage for what might be the most ambitious and visually stunning Horizon experience yet when the game launches in 2026.

The Horizon Festival Heads to Japan

From the rolling hills of Colorado to the neon-drenched streets of Mexico City, every Horizon game has delivered massive, beautifully realized playgrounds for car enthusiasts to explore. But Japan? That’s a whole new level.

Playground Games calls it the “breathtaking landscapes of Japan,” and for good reason. The teaser trailer that just dropped closes with a dramatic shot of Mount Fuji framed by swirling cherry blossoms – a not-so-subtle hint of the iconic backdrops waiting to be discovered.

“Japan has been top of Horizon fans’ wish lists, so we’re excited to finally be bringing this much-requested location to players,” said Don Arceta, art director at Playground Games. “Japan has such a unique culture – from cars, to music, to fashion – that make it perfect for the next Horizon setting.”

A World Built for Gearheads

Forza Horizon 6 promises fans a sprawling open world that blends urban environments with natural landscapes, giving players the chance to carve through mountain passes, weave through cherry blossom-lined backroads, and dominate the brightly lit highways of Tokyo.

Playground isn’t just aiming for size; it’s going for depth. They’re calling Tokyo “one of our most detailed and layered environments to date,” with towering skyscrapers, neon signs, and a high-speed playground that celebrates every corner of Japan’s legendary car culture. Expect to see everything from kei cars and classic drift machines to tuner legends and high-end exotics.

A Love Letter to JDM Culture

If you are a fan of drifting, touge battles, or tuning culture, get ready, because this is your moment. Japan’s influence on the automotive world is undeniable, and Forza Horizon 6 is poised to celebrate that legacy like never before.

“Japan has a unique car culture and we’re excited to explore that in the game,” Arceta said, hinting that players will see a “broad range of cars that players will know and love.” That likely means everything from RX-7s and Supras to quirky Kei vans and rare domestic models we’ve never seen in the series before.

And it’s not just about the cars, the Japanese culture itself will be part of the experience. With influences from music, street fashion, and racing history woven into the world, Horizon 6 aims to be more than just a driving game. It’s shaping up to be a full-blown celebration of what makes Japan a car enthusiast’s paradise.

Release Platforms and Game Pass Perks

Forza Horizon 6 is set to launch in 2026, five years after the release of Horizon 5, and it’s coming first to Xbox Series X|S and PC. And yes, it’ll be available day one with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

In a first for the series, Forza Horizon 6 will also make its way to PlayStation 5, but only after launch. “With the excitement for this franchise on other platforms, we also have Playground Games and Turn 10 Studios working together to bring Forza Horizon 6 to PlayStation 5 post-launch.”

What We Still Don’t Know

For all the hype, there’s still a lot under wraps. We haven’t seen any actual gameplay yet, and details about the car list, story progression, multiplayer modes, and cover car remain a mystery. Playground says they’ll share more “early next year,” so expect a deeper dive with gameplay footage and feature breakdowns in 2026.

What we do know is that players will once again “build up [their] racing status to become a Legend at the Horizon Festival,” with a variety of events and challenges across Japan’s diverse terrain.

The Bottom Line

Forza Horizon has always been about more than racing; it’s about car culture, exploration, and freedom. And Japan might be the series’ most perfect setting yet. With its blend of ancient tradition, cutting-edge technology, and some of the most iconic cars ever built, it’s hard to imagine a better backdrop for the next chapter of the Horizon saga.

We’re still months away from getting our first real look under the hood, but one thing’s for sure: 2026 is shaping up to be a dream year for racing fans, with Forza Horizon 6 finally delivering the JDM playground that we’ve all been waiting for!