Explera DMC Japan is preparing Setouchi programmes around two new Mandarin Oriental hotels. Mandarin Oriental, Setouchi at Takamatsu, with 92 rooms on the harbour front, and a 22-room ryokan on the art island of Naoshima are both planned for summer 2027, according to JNTO. They are the brand's second Japanese location after Tokyo.
Mandarin Oriental announced the project in December 2023. A third resort, with 50 rooms on another island, is planned for 2030.
What are the two new hotels?
- Takamatsu, 92 rooms. On the harbour front next to JR Takamatsu Station, about 30 minutes by car from Takamatsu Airport, with restaurants, bars and a spa.
- Naoshima, 22 rooms. A contemporary ryokan in a fishing village, with suites and villas in a new main building and in three village houses.
- A third resort in 2030. A 50-room wellness resort on a separate island in the Seto Inland Sea.
- Opening dates. JNTO lists both hotels for summer 2027. Exact dates have not been announced.
How do we plan Setouchi groups around them?
- Takamatsu as the base. A harbour-front hotel by the station suits groups that take ferries to the art islands and trains across Shikoku.
- Naoshima for small groups. With 22 rooms, the Naoshima ryokan suits very small groups or a private buy-out, not a large incentive.
- Pair it with the art islands. We combine island museums, ferries and the Kagawa food scene into one programme.
- Wait for the dates. We quote these hotels once rates and opening dates are released, and keep an alternative hotel in every plan until then.
See our guides to Takamatsu and Kagawa, the Seto Inland Sea art islands and JNTO's picks for 2027.
Sources: JNTO: Where to go in 2027 and Mandarin Oriental: a trio of new resorts around Setouchi (PDF).
FAQ
When do the Mandarin Oriental hotels in Setouchi open? JNTO lists the Takamatsu hotel and the Naoshima ryokan for summer 2027. Exact opening dates have not been announced.
How many rooms will they have? The Takamatsu hotel has 92 rooms and the Naoshima ryokan has 22. A third resort with 50 rooms is planned for 2030.
Where is Mandarin Oriental, Setouchi at Takamatsu? On the harbour front next to JR Takamatsu Station, about 30 minutes by car from Takamatsu Airport.
Can groups stay at the Naoshima ryokan? Only small ones. With 22 rooms, it suits very small groups or a private buy-out, which we can request once sales open.
Planning a Setouchi or Shikoku programme for 2027? Write to b2b@explera.jp, message the trade desk on WhatsApp at +66 93 656 8090, or register on the B2B portal. Proposals within 24 hours. IATA TIDS 96215733, ASTA member 900408341.
