No more wondering, as fans of Nintendo Forza Horizon eagerly awaited one piece of information in anticipation: the Horizon Festival is heading to Japan. Playground Games revealed Forza Horizon 6 during the Xbox Tokyo Game Show livestream on the 25th of September, 2025.
Along with the announcement, the developers provided a short video with a quick overview of the Horizon Festival’s history and the new content they intend to add in the next instalment of the Forza series.
Players, in particular, have been asking for Japan for quite a long time. Since the very first Horizon game, users have been craving for a map that centres around Japan with its breathtaking nature, gloriously fast-paced cities and the car culture. Now that anticipation has been built, fans can rest assured that there is enough to look forward to.
Why Japan is Important to Forza Horizon
From the very beginning, Forza Horizon has been more than just a series of car racing games. Each instalment is a tribute to the automobile with a scenic, unrestricted digital world to roam around in. Every new installment, be it the snowcapped Colorado mountains or the sun-drenched beaches of Mexico, dictates the overall tone of the game. Japan is a logical choice due to its world-famous automotive culture.
The country is home to iconic automotive manufacturers such as Toyota, Nissan, Honda, and Subaru, and also has a rich history in tuning, drifting, and street racing. The geography of Japan is dramatic and diverse, containing everything from neon cities such as Tokyo to rural roads, coastal highways, and soaring mountain passes. This variety allows Playground Games the opportunity to create one of the most diverse maps in the franchise’s history.
The ability to drift down a mountain road has been a desired feature for many and is now becoming a reality. The fact that the game is now set in Japan is a testament to the developers’ close attention to community feedback.
Next in the Series
Forza Horizon 6 is the sixth addition to the critically acclaimed open world racing series. With each edition, the series has been building upon its predecessors, incorporating new features, larger maps, and an increasing number of vehicles. Horizon 5, which takes the players to Mexico, has quickly become one of the most popular instalments, reaching millions of players worldwide.
The addition of Japan as a playable location serves as a complimenting transition, allowing Playground Games to marry new opportunities for gameplay and setting.
Participants at the Horizon Festival will be especially eager to rise to the status of Legend. Such accolades mean that players will have to take on and triumph in numerous events, challenges, and races, however.
As before, the core of the experience will be centred on the festival theme. While bright stages, music, and a festive atmosphere will return, there will be a new Japanese influence. There will be Horizon-style fireworks, cultural elements, and attractions that Japan is well-known for.
Platforms and Availability
The announcement also stated that both the Xbox Series X|S consoles and PC will be receiving the initial launch of Forza Horizon 6 in the year 2026. Subscribers to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass will also be granted access to the game on launch day.
The game’s lack of Xbox exclusivity is, perhaps, the most shocking development. Forza Horizon 6 will be available on PlayStation 5 as a result of the collaboration between Playground Games and Turn 10 Studios. Unlike previous Forza installments, which only catered to Microsoft’s platforms, the game truly demonstrates a shift in focus. Such a move indicates a desire to expand the influence of the game and community.
Building Hype with the Community
Part of the announcement explained that there will be a new area in the game. Also, fan engagement prior to the release of the game was encouraged. Players can add Forza Horizon 6 to their Microsoft Store and Steam Wish List. This will make it easier for them to learn about new developments as the information becomes available.
The team members also suggested that the fans should participate in the Forza Discord and the forums. These will help the members of the community to express their enthusiasm, participate in contests, and discuss various aspects of the game directly regarding new developments. Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and X, as well as other platforms, will have updates, trailers, and other content related to the game.
Playground Games has always prioritized the community, and this has always been the case, but it still proves how important the fans are for the success of the Horizon franchise. The fans are kept engaged to sustain high levels of excitement as the release date approaches.
The Importance of the Reveal at the Tokyo Game Show
There was no mistake in choosing the Tokyo Game Show for the announcement. One of the most significant gaming events in Asia, it offers a Japanese game a highly appropriate venue for its unveiling. It displays appreciation for the local culture, and at the same time, fulfils its purpose for the foreign and Japanese audience too. Also, it underlined once more the international scope of the Horizon Festival.
The series has travelled to numerous destinations in the past, including Europe, Australia, Britain, and Mexico, which the teaser has prompted fans to consider. In reinforcing the announcement’s impact, the dedication to Japan is the next chapter’s crowning jewel.
What fans can expect from gameplay?
While there has not been a direct release of the gameplay information, there are conjectures regarding the possible features of Forza Horizon 6. Japan’s varied landscape lends itself to many racing styles. The expectations are:
Drift in the mountains on the famous hairpin roads.Race through the urban core of a never-ending, glow-filled metropolis.Cruise through picturesque rural areas complete with quaint villages and cherry blossom trees.Sprint along the edge of the coast on an endless highway.The variety in these settings is sure to enhance the racing experience. In addition, it has been predicted that new features to the gameplay, including the increased social elements, will provide more in-depth car and festival tuning.
The claim to become a “Legend at the Horizon Festival” implies that there will be a more elaborate career progression. Players may have to strategically plan their progression in order to build a reputation, gain respect, and gain more unlocked features.
What is forward for 2026 and beyond?
Fans will gain access to Forza Horizon 6 in 2026, and there are more features that fans can look forward to next year. So, what now? In the coming months, the developers will likely share footage, details on the cars, and features. Until then, the teaser and the announcement are enough to foster great enthusiasm.
Adding Japan to the festival fills the criteria of fun, creativity, and boundless exploration, with which Japan is sure to be the most sought-after one so far. It is no wonder that Forza Horizon 6 is so highly anticipated. Japan is famous for its fantastic car culture, beautiful scenery, and bustling metropolises. It is likely to become the most memorable location of the Horizon series.
Assumption
Forza Horizon 6 is far beyond other racing simulators. It showcases the unique and passionate relationship the land of the rising sun has with automobiles, speed, and style. Playground Games acknowledges its audience and emphasises its desire to fulfil long-held wishes, which is why the setting is so carefully chosen.
Forza Horizon 6 is once again playable first on the Xbox and PC, which will then be swiftly available on the PlayStation 5. This, along with the ample community engagement along with the fascinating new features, suggests that Forza Horizon 6 will indubitably be the most anticipated game of the year 2026.
The Horizon festival is now certainly on its way to Japan, and the global players are now ready to join the ride, which makes the wait worthwhile.
AloJapan.com