Benesse in 2026: From the Art Sanctuary of Naoshima to Education Reform and Early Childhood Care

When you hear the name “Benesse,” many people first think of the red‑pen instructors of “Shimajiro” or perhaps the cheerful yellow‑hatted character himself. And that’s not wrong. But did you know that this brand also shines brilliantly in another field? It’s the art sanctuary floating in the Seto Inland Sea: Benesse Art Site Naoshima.

The “Naoshima New Museum,” which opened just in spring 2025, is already moving into a new phase for the 2026 season. Neither a mere resort nor a conventional box‑style museum, it embodies the philosophy of “well‑being” that Benesse Holdings has cultivated for over 30 years. This spring of 2026, the island is about to take another world‑class step forward.

Beyond Time in the Seto Inland Sea: The “Circulation, Return, Regeneration” of the Naoshima New Museum

The Naoshima New Museum, the tenth facility on the island designed by a renowned architect, will set its annual theme as “Circulation, Return, Regeneration” starting June 7, 2026, with a partial rotation of exhibits. A must‑see is the outdoor work “The Sound of Naoshima” by Thai contemporary artist Sanitas Pradittasnee.
Inspired by the eighty‑eight sacred sites of Naoshima, the piece centres on a stupa that invites visitors into a meditative state, rather than just passive viewing. It’s an art experience you can only have here: feeling the Seto breeze while turning inward.

At the same time, a solo exhibition by one of Japan’s leading artists, Kenjiro Okazaki, titled “Hazashi ki, koto no ha” (Fringe Leaves), will be held. This chance to revisit his latest works—deeply connected to Naoshima since the 1990s—alongside the island’s collection, including at Benesse House Museum, is not to be missed, even if you’re not an art fanatic.

The Island Itself Is the Canvas: A Virtuous Cycle Spanning Over 30 Years

The true power of Benesse Art Site Naoshima lies in the fact that it is by no means just “resort development.” From the “Art House Project,” which renovates vacant local houses, to designs that encourage interaction between islanders and visitors, it has consistently built a model of coexistence with the community.

A research group has focused on this place as a field for studying “place‑based well‑being.” According to their analysis, the happiness level of Naoshima residents is more than one point above the national average. In other words, art has made visible not only economic impact but also the richness of people’s inner lives. As of 2026, this figure has improved further, and the findings are being applied to counter over‑tourism (caused by an increase in visitors) and to people‑flow surveys using technology.

Education and Welfare: Putting “Well‑Being” into Practice in Core Businesses

While there are grand projects like Naoshima, Benesse’s DNA of “nurturing” also thrives in much more familiar places.

• Benesse Komae Minami Nursery School: Located in Komae City, Tokyo, this licensed daycare centre is guided by the motto, “Cherishing each child’s desire to try things.” It offers a warm space that feels like a second home. Even the timing for tidying up blocks is handled with respect for the children’s feelings—a careful, attentive approach that is extremely valuable in modern Tokyo, where dual‑income households are increasing.
• The Evolution of Shimajiro (Benesse’s educational services): With “Game × Learning” and “Human × AI” as keywords, the elementary and high school courses for the 2026 academic year have been revamped. The high school course, in particular, has shifted its curriculum to meet the demand for “regular test preparation,” keeping an eye on the changing university entrance exams.
• World Record: The “Shimajiro Puppet,” celebrating its 30th birthday, has been certified with a world record for the “photo album with a puppet.” The history it has built together with children all across Japan is once again proven here.

An All‑Hands‑on‑Deck Approach to the Future of Raising Children

As of April 1, 2026, the Benesse Group underwent a structural reorganisation. A framework is now in place to bring together the full power of the group—from education and childcare to publishing (including book‑length works by the “red‑pen instructors”). Precisely because the number of births is declining, the commitment to each individual’s “well‑being” runs consistently from the art of Naoshima to the nursery school in Komae and on to digital learning materials.

The Latin meaning behind the name “Benesse”—well‑being. It is by no means a distant ideal. Right now, on the shores of the Seto Inland Sea, and in the nursery school in your neighbourhood, it is beginning to take concrete shape.