Forza Horizon 6 Launches May 19 — Japan Is the New Playground
Forza Horizon 6 drops May 19 with a massive Japan open world map. Here's everything you need to know about the new setting, cars, and features before launch.
Five days. That's all that stands between you and tearing through the streets of Japan in Forza Horizon 6. Microsoft and Playground Games have officially confirmed the May 19 launch date, and the setting — a sprawling open-world recreation of Japan — is shaping up to be the most ambitious Horizon map yet.
Why Japan Makes Perfect Sense
Japan has been on every Forza fan's wishlist for years, and it's not hard to see why. The country is a natural fit: tight mountain passes in the style of the legendary Hakone and Iroha-zaka touge roads, wide expressways cutting through city centers, and coastal highways hugging the Pacific. Add neon-lit urban areas inspired by Tokyo and Osaka, and you've got a playground that works for every driving style.
Playground Games has built a reputation for recreating locations with real care — the UK felt British in Horizon 4, Mexico felt alive in Horizon 5 — and early footage of Horizon 6 suggests Japan is getting the same treatment. Cherry blossom trees, traditional temples alongside modern skyscrapers, and varied terrain from snow-capped peaks to coastal flatlands.
What We Know About the Car List
No official full roster yet, but the trailers have already confirmed some highlights. Japanese domestic market legends are front and center — expect a deep roster of Nissan, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Honda, and Subaru iconic models. The Toyota GR Yaris, Nissan Skyline GT-R R34, and Honda NSX have all been spotted. The full list is expected to drop on launch day.
Playground has also hinted at "cultural cars" — rare and iconic models that rarely make it into Western racing games. If that means proper kei car racing and vintage Japanese muscle, the community is going to lose it.
New Features in Horizon 6
Beyond the setting, Horizon 6 is introducing a few meaningful additions:
- Touge Mode — a new head-to-head drift and time attack mode inspired by Japanese mountain pass racing culture
- Dynamic weather overhaul — typhoon seasons and cherry blossom events that change the world visually over time
- Revamped tuning system — deeper engine swaps and more granular suspension setup for car builders who want to go deep
- Co-op Convoy upgrades — easier session joining and shared progress in multiplayer convoy events
Platforms and Pricing
Forza Horizon 6 launches May 19 on Xbox Series X|S and PC via the Microsoft Store and Steam. It will be available day one on Xbox Game Pass, so if you're a subscriber, you're already covered. Standard edition is $69.99, Premium Edition bundles the base game with a season pass and early access content for $99.99.
No PlayStation release has been announced, which tracks with Forza remaining an Xbox/PC exclusive franchise.
Should You Be Hyped?
If the past few Horizon games are any guide, yes. Playground Games has delivered consistently with this franchise — Horizon 5 was one of the most technically impressive open-world games of its generation, and the studio has had two extra years of development time with Horizon 6. Japan as a setting has near-unlimited potential for variety, and Touge Mode alone could be a game-changer for the competitive community.
Five days. Clear your schedule.
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