teamLab Guide Japan: Every Venue, Tickets, and Tips

Why teamLab Has Changed How We Experience Art

teamLab is a Tokyo-based collective of artists, programmers, engineers, and animators that has redefined what an art exhibition can be. Their immersive digital installations respond to visitor movement, blur the boundaries between artwork and viewer, and create experiences that are impossible to replicate on a screen. Since opening their first permanent museum in 2018, teamLab venues have become among the most visited art destinations in the world.

This guide covers every major teamLab venue in Japan, how to secure tickets, and practical tips for making the most of your visit. For other digital art and immersive experiences, explore our art space directory.

teamLab Borderless (Azabudai Hills, Tokyo)

What to Expect

The flagship teamLab experience relocated to Azabudai Hills in Minato-ku in early 2024, occupying a vast underground space. Borderless lives up to its name: artworks flow out of rooms, merge with other pieces, and transform based on the season and time of day. There are no fixed routes — you wander freely through interconnected spaces where digital waterfalls cascade down walls, flowers bloom and scatter, and light sculptures respond to your presence.

Highlights include the Universe of Water Particles, where a massive digital waterfall flows around your feet, and the Crystal Universe, an infinity room of LED lights that you control via smartphone. The new Azabudai location added several new works not seen at the original Odaiba venue.

Tickets and Timing

Tickets cost ¥3,800 for adults and must be purchased online in advance with a specific entry time. Slots sell out quickly, especially for weekends and holidays. Book at least 2 to 3 weeks ahead, or further for peak seasons (cherry blossom, Golden Week, summer holidays). Each visit lasts approximately 1.5 to 2.5 hours.

The best times to visit are weekday mornings (first entry slot) and late afternoons on weekdays. Avoid weekends and school holidays when wait times for popular rooms can exceed 30 minutes.

teamLab Planets (Toyosu, Tokyo)

What Makes Planets Different

While Borderless is about wandering, Planets is about physical immersion. You walk barefoot through the entire experience, wading through knee-deep water, sinking into soft surfaces, and lying in fields of digital flowers. The concept is "Body Immersive" — the art engages not just your eyes but your entire body.

Planets has a linear path through seven main installations, making it a more structured experience than Borderless. The Infinite Crystal Universe and the waterfall room where you stand in ankle-deep water surrounded by cascading digital koi are the signature moments. Planets was originally planned as temporary but has been extended multiple times due to extraordinary demand.

Tickets and Practical Tips

Adult tickets are ¥3,800. Weekday and off-peak slots are slightly cheaper. Book online in advance. The experience takes about 60 to 90 minutes. Wear clothing that you can roll up above your knees (or change into shorts at the venue). Lockers are provided for shoes and bags. Towels are available to dry your feet afterward.

teamLab Beyond Kyoto

A Seasonal Experience

teamLab has brought immersive installations to Kyoto, often in partnership with historic temples and gardens. These exhibitions rotate and are typically seasonal, running during peak tourist periods. Past collaborations have included stunning light installations at Shimogamo Shrine and Toji Temple, where digital art overlays ancient architecture.

Check the official teamLab website for current Kyoto offerings, as locations and dates change annually. These experiences often feel more intimate than the Tokyo megavenues and connect digital art to Japan's cultural heritage.

Other teamLab Venues in Japan

• teamLab Forest (Fukuoka) — Located in the Canal City Hakata shopping complex, this venue features two floors of interactive installations. Highlights include the athletic forest where you jump on trampolines in digital landscapes and the catching and collecting experience using smartphones. More compact and less crowded than Tokyo venues. Tickets around ¥2,400.
• teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka — A nighttime experience in the Nagai Botanical Garden where interactive light installations transform the outdoor landscape. Seasonal programming changes throughout the year. An excellent option for families. Tickets around ¥1,800.

Photography Tips for teamLab

Getting Great Shots

teamLab actively encourages photography and sharing, which is part of their philosophy that art should not be static. Here is how to get the best photos:

• Use your phone's night mode — The low light conditions are challenging for cameras. Modern smartphone night modes handle this beautifully.
• Wear white or light clothing — The projections reflect off your clothes, making you part of the artwork. Dark clothing absorbs light and makes you disappear into the background.
• Photograph people, not just rooms — teamLab installations are designed to include viewers as part of the artwork. Photos with people interacting with the art are far more compelling than empty rooms.
• Arrive at Borderless early — The first entry slot has the fewest people, giving you cleaner shots of the installations before crowds build.
• Video captures the experience better — Since the art moves and changes, short video clips convey the experience more effectively than still photos.
• Skip the selfie stick — They are prohibited at most venues for safety reasons.

Planning Your teamLab Visit

• Book early — Tickets sell out fast. Set a calendar reminder to book 3 to 4 weeks before your travel dates.
• Combine venues — Borderless and Planets are different enough to justify visiting both. They are about 25 minutes apart by train.
• Allow buffer time — You will spend longer than you think. Do not schedule a tight dinner reservation immediately after.
• Bring minimal bags — You will use lockers. Travel light to speed up entry.
• Motion sickness warning — Some installations can cause dizziness. Take breaks between rooms if you are sensitive.
• Accessibility — Borderless is wheelchair accessible. Planets is not due to the water elements. Check the official website for details.

Looking for more immersive art experiences? Browse our directory of art spaces across Japan for digital art, museums, and galleries.