Benesse in 2026: From Naoshima, the Art Sanctuary, to Education Reform and Early Childhood Care
When you hear “Benesse,” many people first think of the red-pen instructors of “Shinkenzemi” or Shimajiro in the yellow hat. And that’s not wrong. But did you know that this brand is also shining brilliantly in another field right now? That field is Benesse Art Site Naoshima, an art sanctuary floating in the Seto Inland Sea.
The “Naoshima New Museum of Art,” which just opened in spring 2025, is already entering a new phase for the 2026 season. It’s neither a mere resort nor a trophy museum. The philosophy of “well-being” that Benesse Holdings has cultivated for over 30 years is at work here. In spring 2026, this island is about to achieve another world-class evolution.
Beyond Time in the Seto Inland Sea: The “Cycle, Return, Regeneration” of the Naoshima New Museum of Art
The Naoshima New Museum of Art is the tenth facility on the island designed by a certain architect. Starting June 7, 2026, its annual theme will be “Cycle, Return, Regeneration,” with some exhibitions being rotated. One unmissable piece is “The Sound of Naoshima,” an outdoor work by Thai contemporary artist Sanitas Pradittasnee.
Inspired by the eighty-eight temples of Naoshima, this work isn’t just for viewing. It centers on a stupa that invites visitors into a meditative state. Feeling the Seto breeze while facing yourself—it’s an art experience you can have nowhere else.
At the same time, a solo exhibition by leading Japanese artist Kenjiro Okazaki, titled “Fragments, Leaves of Words,” will also be held. This opportunity to revisit his latest works—created by an artist 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
What makes Benesse Art Site Naoshima so remarkable is that it’s by no means “resort development.” The “Art House Project,” which renovates vacant local homes, and the design that fosters interaction between residents and visitors have consistently built a model of coexistence with the community.
One research group has been focusing on this place as a field for studying “place-based well-being.” According to their analysis, the happiness level of Naoshima’s residents is more than one point above the national average. In other words, art isn’t just driving economic effects—it’s making the richness of residents’ hearts visible. As of 2026, this figure has improved further, and the insights are being applied to counter overtourism from increasing visitors and to using technology for crowd-flow analysis.
Education and Welfare: Putting “Well-Being” into Practice in the Core Business
While there are grand projects like Naoshima, Benesse’s DNA of “nurturing” is also very much alive in more familiar places.
- Benesse Komae Minami Nursery School: Located in Komae City, Tokyo, this licensed nursery school operates on the motto, “We cherish what children want to do,” offering a warm space that feels like a second home. Their careful approach—even respecting a child’s feelings about when to put away the building blocks—makes this a truly valuable resource in modern Tokyo, where dual-income households are on the rise.
- The Evolution of Shinkenzemi: With the keywords “game x learning” and “human x AI,” the elementary and high school courses for the 2026 academic year have been renewed. The high school course, in particular, is shifting toward a curriculum that addresses the need for “regular test prep” in light of the changing university entrance exams.
- A World Record: The “Shimajiro Puppet,” celebrating its 30th anniversary, has set a world record for the “photo album taken with a puppet.” The history of walking alongside children all across Japan is proven here as well.
“Raising Children” as an All-Out Effort for the Future
Effective April 1, 2026, the Benesse Group underwent a reorganization. The structure is now in place to bring together the group’s full capabilities, spanning education, childcare, and even publishing (such as turning the “Red-Pen Instructor” into books). Precisely because the birthrate is declining, Benesse is committed to each individual’s well-being. That resolve runs consistently from the art of Naoshima to the nursery school in Komae and on to digital educational materials.
The Latin meaning behind the name “Benesse”—“to live well.” That is by no means a distant ideal. Right now, whether on the shores of the Seto Inland Sea or at a nursery school in your town, it is beginning to take real shape.