The property in Takamatsu, opening in 2027, is a 92-room urban resort on the harbour front of Kagawa prefecture’s capital city. A 30-minute drive from Takamatsu airport, the city is ideally situated for guests to explore the Seto Inland Sea. Restaurants, bars and wellness spas are set to feature at the resort. 

The second property is a 22-room contemporary Japanese ryokan in Naoshima, also launching in 2027. Mandarin Oriental, Setouchi at Naoshima will offer suites, villas, private gardens and terraces, all spread across a main building and three houses in the surrounding fishing village.

Naoshima is home to a series of museums designed by architect Tadao Ando, including Ando Museum and the Chichu Art Museum. Visitors to the island can view Claude Monet’s Water Lilies, as well as Yayoi Kusama’s Pumpkin sculptures. Every three years, the islands host The Setouchi Triennale, an internationally-acclaimed art festival. 

The third property, on a yet unnamed island, is set to open 50 guest rooms in 2030. 

Lead architect Yamashita Sekkei and Takenaka Corporation will collaborate with Design Studio SPIN on interiors and SOLA Associates for landscape architecture. 

Located between the main Japanese islands of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu, the Setouchi region is known for its cultural heritage, including Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Museum, and local delicacies in the form of olive Wagyu steak.

Laurent Kleitman, chief executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, hoped the project would “add to the region’s luxury landscape and offer an unparalleled, sustainability-focused opportunity for guests – especially for lovers of art and nature – to immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage of this captivating part of Japan.”

 “We aim to meticulously design the properties,” said Takeshi Fuke, president of development for the Takamatsu and Naoshima properties, “immersing them in the unique setting of each location and promoting a circular journey for guests to experience the key attractions in Shikoku and Setouchi.”