Pack your bags and get your virtual passports ready, the Horizon Festival is heading to the Land of the Rising Sun. In a move that has the global car community buzzing, Playground Games officially announced during the Xbox Tokyo Game Show livestream that the next instalment of their blockbuster open-world racer, Forza Horizon 6, will be set in Japan. This reveal confirms years of speculation and finally delivers on what has been one of the most highly requested locations by the franchise’s dedicated fanbase.
Scheduled for a 2026 launch, the game promises to let players discover a scenic and breathtaking Japan as they race their way to becoming a Legend at the Horizon Festival.
A Dream Destination for Car Culture
The choice of Japan as the next Horizon map is a masterstroke, tapping into a deep and rich vein of automotive history and culture. The possibilities are truly staggering. Imagine drifting down serpentine touge mountain passes reminiscent of those made famous by Initial D, or engaging in high-speed highway runs on sprawling expressways inspired by the infamous Wangan line.
This setting opens the door for an incredible car list, potentially expanding the roster with even more JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) icons. From the tuner-favourite Nissan Skylines and Toyota Supras to rotary-powered Mazda RX-7s and nimble Honda Civics, Japan is the birthplace of legends. Furthermore, the diverse landscape, from the neon-drenched, dense urban sprawl of a Tokyo-inspired metropolis to tranquil, scenic countryside, promises an unprecedented level of environmental variety for the series.
Cross-Platform Racing on the Horizon
In one of the biggest surprises of the announcement, Forza Horizon 6 is breaking down console barriers. While the game will launch first on Xbox Series X|S and PC (and be included with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass from day one), a PlayStation 5 version is also in the works. Playground Games and Turn 10 Studios are collaborating to bring the festival to the PS5 post-launch, marking a significant expansion for the once Xbox-exclusive franchise.
How to Stay Up to Date
Playground Games has promised to share more details early next year, but until then, there are several ways for eager fans to stay in the loop.
- Wishlist the Game: You can add Forza Horizon 6 to your Wishlist on the Microsoft Store or Steam to get the latest news delivered directly.
- Join the Community: The official Forza Discord server and the Forza Forums are open for discussions, contests, and community chat.
- Follow on Social Media: The @ForzaHorizon channels on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) will be posting the latest content.
- Read the FAQ: A dedicated Forza Horizon 6 FAQ has been posted on the Forza Support website to answer initial questions.
The road to Horizon Japan begins now, and while the 2026 release date feels a long way off, the hype is already at redline. We’ll see you at the festival!
