World

Japan Map Guide — Regions, Points of Interest & Best Roads

Beginner 7 min read

This map guide is based on official trailers, screenshots, and developer previews. The full map will be explored in detail after launch.

Japan: The Biggest Horizon Map Yet

Forza Horizon 6 is set in a fictionalized recreation of Japan, spanning from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south. Early indications suggest this is the largest map in the series, with an estimated 50-60% more area than Forza Horizon 5's Mexico.

Map Size Comparison

Game Location Relative Size
FH4 Great Britain ~1x (baseline)
FH5 Mexico ~1.5x
FH6 Japan ~2x (estimated)

Confirmed Regions

1. Tokyo Bay Area

The urban heart of the map. Expect:

  • Shuto Expressway — multi-lane highway loops perfect for high-speed racing
  • Shibuya-style intersection — iconic city scenery
  • Rainy night street racing — confirmed in the announcement trailer
  • Waterfront industrial zones — great for drift zones

2. Mt. Fuji & Hakone

The signature landmark of the game:

  • Touge passes — winding mountain roads perfect for drifting
  • Fuji Speedway — expected as a Horizon Race track
  • Lake Ashi scenic drive — beautiful lakeside roads
  • Forest stages — dense woodland rally sections

3. Kyoto & Osaka

Cultural heart of the map:

  • Bamboo forest paths — narrow, technical roads
  • Osaka city streets — grid layout for city racing
  • Kansai highway junction — complex interchange drifting
  • Temples and shrines — likely photo challenge locations

4. Hokkaido

Northern wilderness:

  • Snow-covered roads — winter driving at its best
  • Rolling hills and farms — high-speed rural blasts
  • Coastal highways — stunning ocean views
  • Sapporo city section — compact urban grid

5. Okinawa

Tropical southern region:

  • Coastal cruising — palm-fringed roads
  • Beach zones — off-road sand driving
  • Narrow island roads — technical driving challenges
  • Sunset photo spots — guaranteed photogenic

Best Roads for Racing

Road Region Best For
Shuto Expressway Loop Tokyo High-speed circuit racing
Hakone Turnpike Mt. Fuji Area Touge drifting
Kansai Expressway Osaka/Kyoto Highway battles
Hokkaido Coastal Route 5 Hokkaido Long-distance cruising
Okinawa Ocean Drive Okinawa Scenic relaxed driving

Fast Travel & Discovery

  • Fast Travel — unlocked by visiting festival outposts in each region
  • Fast Travel Bonus Boards — smash these to reduce fast travel cost (eventually to free)
  • Horizon Stories — unlockable activities scattered across the map
  • Road Discovery — driving on all roads is a completionist goal, as in previous games

Photo Challenge Locations

Based on the trailer, these are likely photo challenge hotspots:

  1. Shibuya Crossing at night (Tokyo)
  2. Mt. Fuji from Lake Kawaguchi
  3. Fushimi Inari shrine gates (Kyoto)
  4. Hokkaido lavender fields (seasonal)
  5. Okinawa beaches at sunset

Want to find everything? Check out our Collectibles Guide for all Bonus Boards, XP signs, and hidden items.

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