--- title: "Forza Horizon Could Finally Go to Japan Based on Deleted Social Media Post" description: "There's quite a vocal subset of *Forza Horizon* fans who really want the next sequel to be set in Japan. It's been four years since the last entry in the series, which is a long time in the *[Forza]()* world,…" date: "2025-08-21" modified: "2025-08-21" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/forza-horizon-could-finally-go-to-japan-based-on-deleted-social-media-post" categories: - "Culture" - "News" - "Video Games" --- # Forza Horizon Could Finally Go to Japan Based on Deleted Social Media Post ![An Autozam AZ-1 in Forza Horizon 5.]() *\Xbox Game Studios\* There's quite a vocal subset of *Forza Horizon* fans who really want the next sequel to be set in Japan. It's been four years since the last entry in the series, which is a long time in the *[Forza]()* world, and the powers that be at Xbox have said that *Horizon 6* is due in 2026. We've got to be on the cusp of something big. A removed social media post from an Australian importer of Japanese cars has poured gasoline on the proverbial fire that *Forza Horizon* may finally be heading to the land of the Rising Sun. The importer, [Cult and Classic](), [shared]() in its Instagram story earlier this week that someone from the *Forza Horizon* team was shooting one of the Suzuki Every kei vans in their stock. As you can see below, the post never mentioned that Japan is to be *FH6's* host country—just that this car was [being captured]() "for the next installation \[sic\] in the series." Now, it should be said that [*Forza Horizon* *5*]() does count one kei car in its ranks—the [Autozam AZ-1]()—despite being set in Mexico. But Forza's rosters have never really embraced kei cars, and the Every is the sort of vehicle you'd expect to see in typical Japanese traffic. Couple that with the fact that *Forza Motorsport* development personnel recently found themselves in Japan to gather assets for the reborn and revitalized [Fujimi Kaido track](), and the pieces seem to fit together. There's no way staff were sent halfway around the world purely to resurrect a fictional circuit for a series that, regrettably, [probably doesn't exist anymore](). https://twitter.com/Knoebelbroet/status/1958294206205858164 *Forza Horizon* is incredibly popular, and [*FH5's* debut on the PlayStation 5](), more than three years after it first dropped on Xbox and PC, has been enormously successful. As of July, it was [reportedly the platform's best-selling new game]() of 2025 thus far. Frankly shocking, given that Microsoft was still intent on charging full price for a game from 2021. Without question, the decision to bring the Horizon Festival to Japan would set the racing game world on fire. Personally, it would pique my interest, since I've found *Horizon* to be stagnating for multiple entries now, with developer Playground Games focusing on building unique open worlds for each title and never really changing much about the games' structure or the sensation of driving. If it ain't broke, and you're able to sell a three-year-old game for $60 [despite *not* being Nintendo](), don't fix it, I guess. But a Japan-based *Horizon* carries inherent challenges. For one, cities or more urban areas in these games have always felt kind of like an afterthought. But if you want to render Japan authentically, densely populated spaces need to be extremely detailed and intricate. Think about the highways of *[Tokyo Xtreme Racer]()* and all the narrow streets below the overpasses. You'd want some of those [iconic parking areas](), too. *FH5's* map is obviously a beautiful and painstakingly crafted miniature replica of Mexico, but it's easier—relatively speaking, of course—to drop a big desert in an open world, or a tall mountain to climb. Maybe that's why this installment is taking so long. If Playground can pull it off, though, it'll be magnificent. And just imagine if they also placed some real Japanese racetracks around the map? Maybe a Tsukuba here, or a Suzuka there. (How about my personal favorite, Sugo?) The opportunities, considering the country's motorsport culture, are numerous, and it's hard not to get excited about the potential. Which is why we sincerely hope that there's something tangible behind this supposed leak, and fans aren't allowing their collective imagination to run wild here. *Know something about Forza Horizon 6 that we don't? Let us know at tips@thedrive.com!*[]() ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()