Sky lanterns in Forza Horizon 6 are one of the most visually stunning collectibles you can photograph, but they can be tricky to find. These glowing lanterns float high above the streets, and unlike static photo spots, they appear only under specific conditions.

Exact Location & Coordinates

Region: Shimanoyama (central/western mountainous area of the Japan map)

Exact Spot: Directly above the traditional streets of Narai-juku historic town

Visual Anchor: Look up at night over the old wooden buildings—dozens of warm, orange lanterns drift slowly into the sky.

Coordinates Tip: Aim your camera over the main street for the best frame; lanterns are dispersed above the rooftops rather than close to the ground.

Essential Tips to Find Them

Sky lanterns are tied to the game’s dynamic festival and weather systems, so they won’t always appear in free roam.

Nighttime Only: Lanterns are visible and illuminated only after sunset. They won’t appear during the day.

Seasonal & Festival Timing: These lanterns are linked to certain festival events. If you visit Narai-juku at night and don’t see any, check the in-game season and festival schedule—they rotate with other aerial collectibles like kites and streamers.

EventLab Shortcut: You can bypass seasonal restrictions by creating a custom EventLab blueprint. Set the location to Narai-juku, the time to night, and the season to match the festival window. This ensures the lanterns spawn for your photo.

How to Complete the Photo Challenge

Park on Narai-juku’s main street.

Open Photo Mode by pressing Up on the D-Pad.

Tilt your camera upward to capture both your car and the lanterns clearly.

Snap the photo to log it into your Collection Journal.

With these tips, you can reliably track down and photograph sky lanterns in Forza Horizon 6, adding a beautiful shot to your collection without endless searching.

Nighttime, the right season, and positioning above the old town are key—plan your visit carefully to catch the full display of drifting lanterns.