Japan was the most requested location in Forza Horizon history — and it's finally happening. Forza Horizon 6 takes us to the streets of Tokyo, the winding mountain passes near Mount Fuji, and the scenic countryside of rural Japan. With the largest map in the series' history, 550+ cars, and a release date of May 19, 2026, this is a racing game nobody should miss.
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Japan: The Largest Map in Horizon History
Playground Games chose Japan because it was far and away the most popular community request. According to art director Don Arceta, the team wanted to “capture the country's unique cultural essence” — Japan is a place “full of contrast”, with urban areas side by side with mountain roads and open fields.
The map isn't a 1:1 recreation of Japan, but rather a stylized representation — just like its predecessors. This version of Tokyo is the largest urban area in any Forza Horizon, five times bigger than any previous city. The city is divided into distinct districts with their own character: neon-lit downtown streets, quiet suburbs, and industrial docklands.
Landscapes & Seasons
Japan features dramatic seasonal changes — from blooming cherry blossoms during Sakura season to snowy winters. This means radically different gameplay and aesthetics every week.
550+ Cars & Customization
Forza Horizon 6 will launch with over 550 cars, all fully customizable. The cover cars are the Toyota GR GT and the Toyota Land Cruiser 250 — a choice that shows respect for the Japanese automotive industry.
Street Racing
Race through the streets of Tokyo, inspired by Japan's street racing culture — think Initial D but in next-gen graphics.
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Touge Battles
One-on-one duels on winding mountain roads. Drift, precision, nerve — touge racing in its most authentic form.
Daikoku Car Meets
Meet other players, share customizations, and admire their rides — car meets inspired by the legendary Daikoku PA.
Collection Journal
Photograph points of interest across Japan. Each photo is saved as a stamp in your Collection Journal.
Wristband Progression & Legend Island
The wristband system from the original Forza Horizon returns. You start as a tourist and must work your way up to qualify for the Horizon Festival. By winning races and completing events, you unlock better cars — and eventually, with the gold wristband, you gain access to Legend Island, a special area with unique challenges and exclusive races.
There are also 8 garages on the map that double as fast travel points, plus “the Estate” — a customizable mountainside property in rural Japan that you can decorate as you wish.
"We can only do Japan once — and we wanted to do it right. Japan is full of contrast, from the urban landscapes to the quiet mountain roads, something that makes the driving experience truly unique."
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— Don Arceta, Art Director, Playground Games
The Forza Horizon Legacy
Every Forza Horizon has changed location, creating a history of unique open-world experiences: Colorado (2012), French & Italian Riviera (2014), Australia (2016), Great Britain (2018), Mexico (2021). The series consistently holds a Metacritic score of 85-92/100 — always among the best racing games of each year. With total franchise sales exceeding $1 billion and millions of players, Forza Horizon 6 carries enormous expectations.
Platforms & Game Pass
Releases on May 19, 2026 for Windows and Xbox Series X/S, with a PlayStation 5 version arriving later in 2026. It will be available day one on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass — the perfect opportunity if you're already a subscriber.
Why We Can't Wait
Japan as a setting gives Playground Games an incredible palette: neon streets, mountain passes, sakura seasons, authentic car culture. With 550+ cars, the largest map ever, a progression system reminiscent of classic Horizon, touge battles and street racing — Forza Horizon 6 could very well become the best racing game of 2026.