Drive Japan: The Forza Horizon 6 Road Trip

Book Shibuya Sky around sunset if the forecast looks good. It is a good first-night view before you go down into the crossing, but keep the evening easy. You will want your sleep for the driving days.

Watch one full crossing cycle from above, then walk it at street level. Mag's Park is usually the easier photo perch if the old Starbucks view is packed.

Go early, while the gravel paths are still quiet. Meiji Jingu is a good reset before Omotesando and the rest of the city starts feeling loud again.

This is the Tokyo showroom walk: Prada, Tod's, Dior, coffee, people-watching. Do not rush it. Half the fun is just noticing the buildings.

Skytree is the backup skyline option. The day still makes more sense around Tokyo Tower, Aoyama and Zojoji, so skip this if the schedule starts feeling too stretched.

Best in late November into early December. Outside that window, it is still a pleasant Aoyama walk, just not the golden tunnel photo.

Make this the real skyline stop if the day is running well. Skytree can stay optional; Tokyo Tower fits the Aoyama-to-Zojoji walk better.

This is only here as the Zojoji/Tokyo Tower walking option. Skip the guided tour if it feels too themed; the temple grounds and tower view are the useful part.

Save this for the end of Day 2 if the weather is clear. One drink with Tokyo Tower lit up is plenty, especially before the Daikoku night.

Touristy, yes, but still very Tokyo. Check the International Driving Permit rules before you book, and treat it as a goofy warm-up rather than the serious driving part of the trip.

Use Akihabara for retro games, model cars and camera-store wandering. Buy small things. You still have a road trip to carry them through.

Mandarake is for digging around: die-cast cars, manga, old game merch, weird little finds. Pair it with Super Potato if you want the nerdier side of the day.

Come for the retro racers and old console shelves, then leave before Akihabara steals the whole afternoon. Thirty or forty minutes is enough unless you are really hunting.

Omoide Yokocho works best as a quick pre-Daikoku dinner: yakitori, beer or highballs, nothing fancy. Keep the night pointed toward the cars.

This is the first proper car night. Go in expecting a guided ride and a bit of luck, not a guaranteed meet. Daikoku can be amazing, but weather, timing and police closures decide a lot.