Microsoft Flight Simulator upgrades Japan with free update this month

Microsoft Flight Simulator Japan
Microsoft Flight Simulator Japan (Image credit: Microsoft)

What you need to know

  • Microsoft Flight Simulator soon receives its first major post-launch update, upgrading the region of Japan with improved cities, landmarks, airports, and more.
  • The update releases on September 29, available as a free download to all players.

Microsoft Flight Simulator soon receives its first significant post-launch update, announced as a part of Microsoft's Tokyo Game Show 2020 presence. The first world refresh centers on Japan, expanding the region with handcrafted assets, including key landmarks and airports. The update releases for free to all players, scheduled to hit PC on September 29.

Head of Microsoft Flight Simulator, Jorg Neumann, announced its first update via Xbox Japan, as the first of regular world updates scheduled over the months ahead. Each release packages up a variety of environmental refinements in a designated area, this time expanding the east with six new cities, six handcrafted airports, and other tailored landmarks in Japan.

The accompanying trailer centers on several featured locations, including Tokyo, Yokohama, Tokushima, Utsunomiya, and Takamatsu. Developer Asobo Studio also shows a batch of new models for historical landmarks like Himeji Castle and Itsukushima Shrine, alongside bridges, mounts, and other defining landscape set pieces. Nagasaki Airport, Suwanosejima Airport, Kerama Airport, Shimojishima Airport, and Kushiro Airport also receive a handcrafted touch, joining Haneda Airport included with the base game.

When the update drops, Microsoft will also release new landing challenges for the new airports, alongside a discovery flight touring the region. All content releases on September 29, 2020, free to all players on PC.

In the meantime, the Microsoft Flight Simulator is available both via Steam and the Microsoft Store, including Xbox Game Pass for PC. And for the ultimate in-flight experience, the title shines when paired with the best joysticks for PC simulation.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020

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Matt Brown

Matt Brown was formerly a Windows Central's Senior Editor, Xbox & PC, at Future. Following over seven years of professional consumer technology and gaming coverage, he’s focused on the world of Microsoft's gaming efforts. You can follow him on Twitter @mattjbrown.