How to Unlock All Map Regions in Forza Horizon 6
Forza Horizon 6 features the largest map in series history, set across a fictionalized Japan. The world is divided into 10 distinct regions, and not all are accessible from the start. Here's exactly how to unlock every area.
How Map Progression Works
FH6 uses a wristband system for map progression. Think of each wristband color as a key that unlocks new regions, events, and rewards:
| Wristband | Requirement | Unlocks |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | Complete prologue | Starter regions (Osaka area, initial highways) |
| Silver | Complete all 4 initial story missions | Central Japan, Kyoto, Nara access |
| Gold | Reach Horizon Festival Rank 5 | Northern regions, expanded mountain roads |
| Platinum | Complete 50+ events, Rank 10+ | All mainland regions fully unlocked |
| Legend | Reach Horizon Legend status | Legend Island — the ultimate endgame location |
Region-by-Region Unlock Guide
Starting Regions (Available Immediately After Prologue)
These regions are accessible as soon as you finish the 30-minute prologue:
| Region | Description | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Osaka Bay | Urban port city, dense street racing circuit | Car meets, street races, night racing hub |
| Kansai Countryside | Rural hills, traditional villages, winding roads | Barn finds, off-road shortcuts, scenic drives |
| Initial Highway Network | Tomei Expressway, connecting the south | Speed traps, highway racing, fast travel routes |
Tip: Don't rush out of Osaka Bay. It has the highest concentration of early-game events and is the best place to grind your first few driver ranks.
Mid-Game Regions (Silver Wristband + Story Missions)
Complete the four main story mission chains to unlock these:
| Region | How to Unlock | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Kyoto & Arashiyama | Complete 2 story missions | Bamboo forest paths, temple landmarks, touge routes |
| Nara Basin | Complete 3 story missions | Open fields, ancient temple roads, cross-country routes |
| Kobe Waterfront | Complete Day Trips chapter 3 | Harbor circuits, industrial zones, dockside drag strips |
| Central Highlands | Reach Festival Rank 3 | Mountain passes, overlooks, drift zones |
Tip: Focus on Day Trips and Drift Club Japan story missions first — they unlock the most useful mid-game regions (Kobe and Central Highlands) and give excellent credit rewards.
Late-Game Regions (Gold Wristband + Rank 5+)
| Region | How to Unlock | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Fuji Area | Festival Rank 5 | Highest peak, panoramic views, iconic photo location |
| Hakone Turnpike | Complete Drift Club Japan Chapter 6 | Legendary touge road, drift events, car meet hotspot |
| Tokyo Metro | Festival Rank 7 | Largest urban area (5x previous Horizon cities), expressway loops, underground tunnels |
| Hokkaido Wilderness | Festival Rank 8 | Snowy terrain, forest trails, extreme off-road events |
Tip: Tokyo is unlocked surprisingly late. If you want to explore the city early, focus exclusively on Festival Rank progression — spam events with credit boost bonuses for maximum rank XP.
Legend Island — The Endgame Zone
Legend Island is the final region unlock — a separate island accessible only after reaching Horizon Legend status.
Requirements for Legend status:
- Reach Driver Rank 20
- Complete all story missions across all chains
- Complete 100+ total events
- Earn all 4 wristbands (Bronze through Platinum)
What's on Legend Island:
- The most challenging road circuit in FH6 — the Goliath
- Exclusive Legend-level PR Stunts (danger signs, speed traps with extreme targets)
- Legend-only showcase events
- Exclusive reward cars
- The highest-credit-paying events in the game
Fast Travel Tips
Unlocking regions is only half the battle. Getting around efficiently saves hours:
| Upgrade | Cost | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Travel Anywhere | 500,000 credits (or smashing all 200 Bonus Boards) | Travel to any road you've discovered for free |
| Fast Travel Boards | Smash 50 → 25% discount | Reduces fast travel cost by 50% when all smashed |
| Player House Fast Travel | Buy Osaka Apartment (150k) | Unlocks a fast travel hub in the south |
| Buy Kyoto House (275k) | Fast travel hub in central Japan | Cuts cross-map travel time in half |
Best strategy: Focus on smashing Bonus Boards as you explore each new region. The fast travel cost reduction alone saves tens of thousands of credits over a playthrough, and smashing all 200 makes fast travel completely free.
Quick Reference Checklist
- [ ] Complete prologue (30 min)
- [ ] Finish Day Trips story chain (unlocks Kobe + Central Highlands)
- [ ] Complete Drift Club Japan (unlocks Hakone + better drift events)
- [ ] Reach Festival Rank 5 (unlocks Mt. Fuji area)
- [ ] Reach Festival Rank 7 (unlocks Tokyo)
- [ ] Reach Festival Rank 8 (unlocks Hokkaido)
- [ ] Complete all story missions + Rank 20 (unlocks Legend Island)
- [ ] Smash all 200 Bonus Boards (free fast travel)