Welcome to Horizon Japan
Forza Horizon 6 drops you straight into the neon-drenched streets of Tokyo before opening up one of the most diverse open worlds in racing history. From the tight mountain passes of Hakone to the cherry blossom-lined highways of Kyoto, Japan is a playground built for speed. This guide walks you through every chapter, from your first race to the Invitational on Legend Island.
🏁 Chapter 1 — The Arrival (Shibuya)
You start the game with a scripted convoy through central Tokyo. Follow the lead car through Shibuya Crossing — this is on rails, so enjoy the cinematics. Once you reach the Horizon Festival Stadium, you'll pick your starter car.
Starter Car Recommendations
- Nissan GT-R R35 (2024) — Best all-rounder. Great grip, solid top speed, forgiving handling for beginners.
- Toyota GR Supra — Slightly faster top speed but less forgiving in tight city circuits.
- Mazda RX-7 Spirit R — Drift-friendly. Pick this if you want to dominate Drift Zones early.
Pro tip: Regardless of your choice, you'll unlock all three within the first 5 hours. Pick what excites you.
🗾 Chapter 2 — Tokyo Circuit Series
Your first 8 races are all within the Tokyo metro area. These introduce the game's core mechanics:
- Street Scene events — Point-to-point city races. Master late braking into corners.
- Drift Zones — Score-based drift sections. The Tokyo docks area is the easiest to 3-star early.
- Speed Traps — Hit target speeds. Upgrade your car's engine before attempting the highway traps.
Key Strategy: Earning Credits Fast
Tokyo's street races pay well, but the real money is in Skill Chains. Drifting near traffic, near-misses, and speed skills all chain together. A 500k skill chain in the Tokyo highway loop nets you roughly 15,000 credits plus bonus wheelspins.
⛰️ Chapter 3 — Mountain Pass (Hakone)
After completing 6 Tokyo events, the game opens up the Hakone mountain region. This is where Forza Horizon 6 shines — technical downhill races with elevation changes and hairpin turns.
Hakone Boss Race: The Touge Master
The chapter finale is a 1v1 downhill battle against an AI rival. Tips:
- Use an AWD car — RWD is punishing on the wet mountain roads.
- Turn off Stability Control but keep Traction Control on for the best balance.
- Brake before the apex on hairpins — the guardrails are unforgiving and will cost you the race.
🌸 Chapter 4 — Countryside & Kyoto
The Kyoto region introduces cross-country and off-road events. You'll want to have a rally-spec car by now.
Best Rally Cars
- Subaru WRX STI (2024) — Brilliant rally handling, cheap to upgrade.
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X — Slightly better acceleration, slightly worse handling.
- Ford Bronco Raptor — For cross-country events specifically. Eats rough terrain.
The Kyoto temple circuit is one of the most visually stunning races in the game. Take your time to explore — there are 12 hidden barn finds scattered across the Kyoto countryside.
🏝️ Chapter 5 — Legend Island & The Invitational
Complete enough events across all regions to earn your spot in the Invitational. You need at least 150 Accolade Points to unlock the island.
Final Tips
- Tune your car — The Invitational races are S1/S2 class. Stock cars won't cut it.
- Online rivals — Beating rival times in any event earns bonus Accolade Points.
- Photo challenges — Don't sleep on these. Each completed photo challenge is worth 5 Accolade Points.
🎯 Quick Reference: Event Completion Checklist
| Region | Races | Drift Zones | Barn Finds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | 18 | 6 | 4 |
| Hakone | 12 | 8 | 3 |
| Kyoto | 14 | 5 | 12 |
| Legend Island | 8 | 3 | 2 |
This walkthrough is maintained by the GameAi intelligence team. Found an error or have a tip to add? Drop a comment below.
Related: More Guides · GripAi Intelligence