Benesse in 2026: From Naoshima, the Holy Land of Art, to Education Reform and Early Years Care
When you hear the name 'Benesse', many people first think of the red pen of the 'Shinkenzemi' correspondence course, or Shimajiro in his yellow hat. And that’s certainly not wrong. But did you know that this brand is now also making a brilliant mark in another field? It is the holy land of art floating in the Seto Inland Sea: Benesse Art Site Naoshima.
The 'Naoshima New Art Museum', which opened just last spring in 2025, is already entering a new phase for the 2026 season. It is neither a simple resort nor a cookie-cutter museum. Instead, it embodies the philosophy of 'living well' that Benesse Holdings has cultivated for over 30 years. In the spring of 2026, this island is set to take yet another world-class step forward.
Beyond Time in Seto: The 'Circulation, Return, Regeneration' of Naoshima New Art Museum
The Naoshima New Art Museum is the tenth facility on the island designed by a renowned architect. From 7 June 2026, its annual theme will be 'Circulation, Return, Regeneration', with some exhibitions being rotated. What you won’t want to miss is the outdoor work The Sound of Naoshima by Thai contemporary artist Sanitas Pradittasnee.
Inspired by the eighty-eight sacred sites of Naoshima, this piece is not just for viewing. At its heart is a stupa that draws you into a meditative state. Feeling the Seto breeze while turning inward – it’s an artistic experience you can only have here.
At the same time, a solo exhibition by leading Japanese artist Kenjiro Okazaki, titled 'Endings, Leaves of Words', will also take place. This chance to revisit his latest works – alongside the island’s collection, including Benesse House Museum – is unmissable, even if you’re not an art enthusiast.
The Island as Canvas: A Virtuous Cycle Spanning Over 30 Years
What makes Benesse Art Site Naoshima so remarkable is that it is by no means just 'resort development'. From the 'Art House Project', which renovates vacant local homes, to designs that encourage interaction between residents and visitors, it has consistently built a model of coexistence with the local community.
A research group has been studying the area as a field for 'place-based wellbeing'. According to their analysis, the happiness levels of Naoshima’s residents are more than one point above the national average. In other words, art is not only generating economic benefits but also making the emotional richness of people’s lives visible. As of 2026, this data has evolved further, with applications now extending to measures against over-tourism – due to increased visitor numbers – and tech-driven crowd flow analysis.
Education and Welfare: Putting 'Living Well' into Practice at the Core of the Business
While grand projects like Naoshima exist, Benesse’s DNA of 'nurturing' is also alive and well in far more everyday settings.
- Benesse Komae Minami Nursery School: Located in Komae City, Tokyo, this licensed nursery’s motto is 'treasuring each child’s desire to try things'. It offers a warm, 'second home' environment. The careful approach – even respecting a child’s feelings about when to tidy away the wooden blocks – is a precious resource in modern Tokyo, where dual-income households are on the rise.
- Shinkenzemi’s evolution: With the keywords 'game × learning' and 'people × AI', the primary and high school courses for the 2026 academic year have been revamped. The high school offering, in particular, has shifted towards a curriculum that responds to the need for 'regular test preparation' in the face of changing university entrance exams.
- A world record: The 'Shimajiro Puppet', celebrating its 30th birthday, has been awarded a world record for the 'photo album with a puppet'. The history it has shared with children across Japan is now recognised here too.
Tackling the Future of 'Child-Raising' as an All-Out Effort
Effective 1 April 2026, the Benesse Group underwent a reorganisation. The structure now brings together the group’s full strength – from education and childcare to publishing (including the book version of the 'Red Pen' marking service). Precisely because the birth rate is falling, the commitment to each individual’s 'living well' must be greater. That determination flows consistently – from the art of Naoshima, to the nursery school in Komae, and even to the digital learning materials.
The Latin meaning behind the name 'Benesse' – 'living well'. It is by no means a distant ideal. Right now, on the shores of the Seto Inland Sea, and in your local nursery school, it is beginning to take real shape.