Step 1: Complete the Prologue Sampler

The game starts with a Prologue Sampler, designed to introduce you to Japan’s diverse terrain and car types. You’ll try out different vehicles across road, dirt, and off-road tracks, finishing with a race in the Toyota GR GT that brings you to the festival hub.

Step 2: Select Your Starter Car

After meeting your guides, May and Jordi, you’ll pick one of three starter cars for the qualifiers:

Toyota Celica GT-Four (ST205) – Balanced AWD for mixed terrain.

Nissan Silvia (S13) Widebody – Sharp handling for technical corners.

GMC Jimmy (K5) – Strong off-road performance for dirt-heavy events.

Choose based on the type of races you prefer and the terrain you expect to face.

Step 3: Contest the Horizon Qualifiers

Now it’s time to hit the road. The Horizon Qualifiers are spread across Japan and cover the main racing disciplines:

Goal: Earn enough Reputation Points to show you’re festival-ready.

Gameplay: Mix of road, dirt, and cross-country events.

Restriction: Only lower-tier cars are available; hypercars are locked until later wristbands.

Focus on clean driving and consistent lap times to maximize Reputation and progression.

Step 4: Win the Horizon Invitational

Once you’ve completed the qualifiers, the Horizon Invitational unlocks. This is a key event where victory officially proves you’re ready to join the festival. Winning this race is required to graduate from tourist status.

Step 5: Receive Your First Wristband

Completing the Invitational earns your first Festival Wristband. This milestone:

Registers you for the Horizon Festival.

Unlocks access to higher-tier cars and the main campaign.

Begins the journey through all seven wristband tiers, each offering new cars, events, and locations.

Pro Tip: While focusing on qualifiers, start exploring the Discover Japan path. Collect stamps via side activities like photo-taking or delivery missions to unlock early houses and garages, giving you an advantage in progression.

This guide ensures a smooth start in FH6 by covering all the steps from your very first race to earning your initial Festival Wristband. Following it carefully will make your early festival experience faster, more efficient, and more enjoyable.