Benesse in 2026: From the Art Haven of Naoshima to Education Reform and Early Childhood Care
When you hear "Benesse", most people probably think of the red pen teachers of "Shimajiro" or "Challenge" (formerly known as Shinkenzemi). And that’s not wrong. But did you know this brand also shines brilliantly in another field? It’s the art haven of Naoshima, floating in the Seto Inland Sea – Benesse Art Site Naoshima.
The newly opened "Naoshima New Museum" in spring 2025 is already entering a new phase for the 2026 season. This isn't just another resort or a boxy museum. It’s the embodiment of a philosophy – "living well" – that Benesse Holdings has been building for over 30 years. This spring, the island is set to take another proud step forward on the world stage.
Beyond Time in the Seto Inland Sea: The "Cycle, Return, Rebirth" of Naoshima New Museum
The Naoshima New Museum, the tenth facility by a celebrated architect, will adopt the annual theme "Cycle, Return, Rebirth" from 7 June 2026, with some exhibition rotations. What you won’t want to miss is the debut of The Sound of Naoshima, an outdoor work by Thai contemporary artist Sanitas Pradittasnee.
Inspired by the 88 temples of Naoshima, this piece centres around a stupa that invites viewers into a meditative state – not just something to look at. Feeling the Seto breeze while turning inward: it’s an art experience you can only have here.
At the same time, a solo exhibition by leading Japanese artist Kenjiro Okazaki, titled "Hashi ki, Koto no ha", will be held. For art lovers and beyond, this is a chance to revisit his latest works – alongside the collection on the island, including at Benesse House Museum – given his deep ties with Naoshima since the 1990s.
The Island Itself Is the Canvas: A Virtuous Cycle Spanning Over 30 Years
The true brilliance of Benesse Art Site Naoshima is that it’s never been about "resort development". From the "Art House Project" that refurbishes vacant local homes to designs that encourage interaction between islanders and visitors, it has consistently built a model of co‑existence with the community.
A research group has identified this place as a field study for "place‑based wellbeing". Their analysis shows that the happiness level of Naoshima residents is more than a full point above the national average. In other words, art doesn’t just generate economic impact – it makes visible the inner richness of the people who live there. As of 2026, this data has evolved further, being applied to measures against overtourism (driven by increasing visitor numbers) and to crowd‑flow surveys using technology.
Education and Welfare: Putting "Living Well" into Practice at the Core Business
While Benesse is behind grand projects like Naoshima, its DNA of "nurturing" is also very much alive in places much closer to home.
- Benesse Komae Minami Nursery School: Located in Komae, Tokyo, this licensed nursery lives by the motto "treasuring the child's desire to do things themselves". It offers a warm space that feels like a second home. The careful approach – even respecting a child's feelings about when to tidy up the wooden blocks – is a precious thing in modern Tokyo, where dual‑income households are on the rise.
- The evolution of "Challenge" (Shinkenzemi): With the twin pillars of "game × learning" and "human × AI", the primary and high school courses for the 2026 academic year have been renewed. The high school course, in particular, has shifted towards a curriculum that meets the need for "regular test prep" in light of changing university entrance exams.
- A world record: The Shimajiro puppet, now celebrating its 30th birthday, has set a world record for "photo album with a puppet". It’s yet another testament to the history it has shared with children across Japan.
The Future of Raising Children – a Full‑Force Effort
As of 1 April 2026, the Benesse Group underwent a reorganisation. A structure is now in place that brings together the group’s full strength – education, childcare, and even publishing (including books by the "red pen teachers"). With the number of births declining, it’s precisely because of that that we must face each individual’s "living well". That commitment flows consistently from the art of Naoshima to the nursery in Komae, and right through to digital learning materials.
The Latin meaning behind the name "Benesse" – to live well. It’s never a distant ideal. Right now, on the shores of the Seto Inland Sea, and at a nursery in your own neighbourhood, it’s quietly taking shape.