Next Forza Horizon Reportedly Heading to Japan
The next entry in the beloved Forza Horizon series may finally take players to Japan, according to a recent leak that has the racing game community buzzing. While Microsoft and Playground Games have not made any official announcement, the leak strongly suggests that Forza Horizon 6 will shift gears to the streets and countryside of Japan when it launches in 2026.
A New Destination for the Horizon Festival
Since its debut in 2012, Forza Horizon has taken players across a globe-spanning list of stunning locales—from Colorado’s open roads to the scenic coasts of Southern Europe, the vast expanses of Australia, the rolling hills of the UK, and the vibrant landscapes of Mexico. Each game has expanded the concept of the Horizon Festival, combining open-world freedom with authentic car culture. Now, it seems Japan may be the next stop.
The speculation comes after a now-deleted Reddit post from Cult & Classic, an Australian car import company, claimed that someone from the Horizon development team was spotted scanning Kei cars—the small, lightweight vehicles unique to Japan. Kei cars are an integral part of Japanese motoring, seen everywhere from narrow urban streets to mountain passes, but are rarely exported abroad. Their inclusion would make sense only if Japan were the chosen setting.
Why Japan Makes Sense for Forza Horizon 6
Fans have long requested Japan as a destination for the series, and for good reason. The country offers a mix of high-speed expressways, bustling cities like Tokyo, and winding mountain routes that are perfect for drift culture. Incorporating iconic Japanese cars—from Kei models to tuner legends—would make Horizon 6 a dream entry for automotive enthusiasts.
Accurate scans of Kei cars further hint that they could become purchasable and playable vehicles in-game. Leaving them out of a Japanese setting would feel incomplete, considering how central they are to the driving experience there.
Official Announcement Still Pending
Despite the excitement, the leak is far from an official confirmation. Neither Xbox nor Playground Games have commented on the matter, and the image in question has since been removed. Still, the timing aligns with Xbox boss Phil Spencer’s earlier confirmation that the next Forza Horizon title is planned for 2026, following the recent launch of Forza Horizon 5 on PlayStation 5 and restructuring at Turn 10 Studios, the developers behind Forza Motorsport.
While players are urged to treat the news cautiously, the community has already expressed enthusiasm online. Japan has been one of the most requested settings for over a decade, and the prospect of experiencing its car culture—complete with drift-heavy mountain roads and vibrant cityscapes—would mark a milestone for the series.
If the rumors prove true, Forza Horizon 6 could be the most ambitious and fan-pleasing entry yet, cementing the franchise’s reputation as the ultimate celebration of global car culture.