The rumours have finally been put to rest. Forza Horizon 6 is official, and it’s heading to Japan in 2026. Microsoft showcased the much-awaited game during the Tokyo Game Show held last night, closing the event with a teaser that showed a sweeping vista of Mount Fuji alongside nods to earlier Horizon titles. While no actual cars were shown in action, the reveal was enough to ignite excitement among fans who have long been waiting for the next destination for the Horizon Festival.
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Rumours of Forza Horizon 6 being showcased at the Tokyo Games Show were doing rounds for a long time. However, a surprise awaited fans on September 25 as hours before the event, the new game’s teaser was unveiled (or leaked) on Instagram. The official Forza Horizon Instagram account had posted a video ahead of the event captioning it as, “The Horizon Festival is heading to Japan. Coming 2026”.
During the show, a short clip was unveiled which didn’t really have any vehicles, but glimpses of the setting. There was also focus on Mount Fuji, which might appear as a crucial location for a new racing track.
According to Playground Games, Japan has been at the top of fans’ wish lists for years. “Japan has such a unique culture – from cars, to music, to fashion – that make it perfect for the next Horizon setting,” explained art director Don Arceta in an Xbox Wire post. He added that the technical side of development has finally caught up to the team’s vision, allowing them to authentically recreate everything from Tokyo’s elevated highways to rural backroads. Earlier experiments, such as Forza Horizon 5’s Hot Wheels DLC, even helped refine the tools needed to design elevated city tracks.
Cultural consultant Kyoko Yamashita said that Japanese car culture will play a central role in shaping the game. “The depth and diversity is astonishing – kei cars, drifting roots, precision motorsport, and a passion for customisation,” she said, adding that it’s a community welcoming to both casual enthusiasts and hardcore fans.
Playground Games isn’t ready to reveal the full map yet, but the developers have teased a wide range of environments. From the bright lights and layered verticality of Tokyo City to the tranquillity of rural landscapes, the goal is to showcase Japan’s beauty in both natural and urban forms. Seasonal changes will also return, this time paying homage to Japan’s climate and traditions. Expect sweltering summers, snowy winters, and the iconic cherry blossom season to subtly shift how the world looks, sounds, and feels. Everyday details like station chimes or summer wind bells have also been built in to heighten immersion.
As with past entries, Forza Horizon 6 will launch on day one via Xbox Game Pass and support Xbox Play Anywhere, letting players switch between console and PC seamlessly. Full gameplay details remain under wraps, but if the early reveal is any indication, the Horizon Festival is preparing for one of its most exciting road trips yet.
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