After years of fan demand, Forza Horizon 6 is confirmed to take place in Japan, launching on May 19, 2026. Playground Games has revealed a gameplay trailer and developer diary showcasing the highly anticipated open-world racing experience. The game will feature over 550 cars and iconic Japanese locations, fulfilling a long-held wish of the Forza community.
The Long Road to Japan
Since the original Forza Horizon in 2012, players have consistently requested a Japan-based installment. The franchise visited Italy, Australia, the UK, and Mexico—all fantastic locations, but none matched the cultural and automotive significance of Japan for many fans. This delay wasn’t a matter of impossibility, but rather a calculated choice, now rectified with Horizon 6.
Gameplay Highlights and New Features
The trailer reveals several key additions:
– Toyota GR GT as the cover car.
– Recreations of real-world locations, including the Daikoku Parking Area, Ginkgo Avenue, Mount Haruna (from Initial D ), and the Shuto Expressway.
– A potential Ebisu Circuit-style track hidden within the map.
– New cars, such as the Toyota Chaser, Daihatsu Copen, and Honda Beat, complementing the existing Horizon 5 car list.
– Fully customizable player estates where players can build their own drivable maps.
– Customizable garages with posters and paint schemes.
– A new car meet feature at Daikoku for trading cars, tunes, and liveries.
– Touge Battle mode: 1-on-1 mountain pass racing, adding a competitive drifting element.
– Finally, the livery editor will now allow for window decals.
Locations and Map Design
The game’s map design appears faithful to real-world locations, with appropriately narrow and winding mountain roads reminiscent of Fujimi Kaido from Forza Motorsport 2023. This attention to detail suggests a deeper level of immersion for fans familiar with Japanese car culture and racing environments.
Why Japan Matters: A Cultural Shift
The inclusion of Japan isn’t just about location; it’s about tapping into a massive automotive culture. Japan’s car scene is known for its tuning, drifting, and unique vehicles—a perfect fit for Horizon’s open-world racing. This move represents a major shift in the franchise, signaling a willingness to listen to its fanbase and embrace a market with immense potential.
Forza Horizon 6 will not just be another racing game; it will be a celebration of Japanese car culture, delivering the experience fans have demanded for over a decade.
