Fans have been asking for years, and today at the Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2025 presentation, it finally became official: Forza Horizon is heading to Japan, with the reveal of Forza Horizon 6. The reveal arrived via a short teaser, so concrete details are limited for now. Xbox confirmed that Forza Horizon 6 will launch first on Xbox Series X|S and PC in 2026.
As someone who has been among the many asking for a Japanese setting, I am thrilled. Japan is the birthplace of drifting and home to stunning landscapes. From neon city streets to winding mountain passes, the potential for memorable racing is massive. I cannot wait to see how Playground Games brings it to life.
Being a car buff myself, I’ve always dreamed of racing down Japan’s streets in a Skyline R34 GT-R. While I know that’s never going to happen in real life, I’ve always lived that dream through video games. And with Forza Horizon finally going to Japan, you can bet that’s the first car I’m hopping in. Well, that and hopefully the game has my 2022 Stinger GT AWD in the game, because my god would that be fun.
A Look Back at Prior Forza Horizon Destinations
Forza Horizon has taken fans of racing to various locations since it was first released in 2012. Here’s where the festival has gone so far:
- Forza Horizon (2012) – Colorado, USA. The debut introduced the Horizon Festival with desert highways, mountain vistas, and long open roads.
- Forza Horizon 2 (2014) – Southern Europe, spanning parts of France and Italy, with vineyards, coastal routes, and alpine passes.
- Forza Horizon 3 (2016) – Australia, featuring rainforests, beaches, and outback terrain.
- Forza Horizon 4 (2018) – United Kingdom, with rolling hills, historic villages, and dramatic seasonal changes.
- Forza Horizon 5 (2021) – Mexico, showcasing deserts, jungles, a volcano, and ancient ruins.
Now, with the series finally heading to Japan, one of the longest-standing fan requests becomes reality. While the reveal was only a teaser, we’re sure to see more ahead of its release. With this announcement, the game has already become one of my most anticipated titles of 2026.
Why Japan Is the Perfect Fit
Japan is deeply tied to car culture. It is synonymous with legendary street racing, the origins of drifting, and iconic touge mountain roads that have inspired games, film, and anime for decades. The country blends high-tech cities like Tokyo and Osaka with serene countryside, cherry blossom corridors, coastal highways, and snowy peaks. That variety lines up perfectly with the Horizon Festival’s open world philosophy and its celebration of automotive style and speed.
Forza Horizon 6 is slated for 2026. It will launch first on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with additional platforms possible later. Details on timing and features will follow in future updates.
I can’t wait!
