They say Japan is living in 3000.
Well, it may sound like I’m exaggerating, but not until you’re visiting teamLab Planets TOKYO, you’d have no idea at what length human imagination can go, especially when it’s supported by world-class technology and arts.
teamLab Planets TOKYO is a paradise of immersive arts and high-tech, where your feet are kissed by an indoor stream and your eyesight is hypnotized by a garden full of orchids.
teamLab Planets is split into eight gigantic exhibition spaces where you become one with an imaginative world around you and quirky landscapes as you walk, crawl, and wade through different art installations.
If you’re yet to visit teamLab Planets TOKYO, this article is for you. Here I will break down what’s inside this incredible immersive space, how to make the most of your hands-on experience, essential tips, and a brief food guide to staying recharged.
How To Get To teamLab Planets TOKYO?
- Address: 6 Chome-1-16 Toyosu, Koto City, Tokyo
- Business Hours: Wednesday to Friday 9:00~21:00, Saturday to Tuesday 9:00~22:00
- Transportation: 12 minutes walk from Tokyo Metro Toyosu Station, Exit A1 of Rinkai Line Shin-Toyosu Station
- Buy Tickets Now
- Official Website
teamLab Planets TOKYO is across the street from Shin-Toyosu Station on the Yurikamome Rinkai Line.
On top of that, you can also combine a visit to teamLab Planets TOKYO with Toyosu Market as the two attractions are only ten minutes apart on foot.
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【teamLab Planets TOKYO】Immersive Interactive Art Experience
No wonder why people refer to teamLab Planets as one of the most futuristic attractions in all of Japan, the building sits smack dab in a centric location just a stone’s throw away from the high-tech neighbor Odaiba.
The main thrill here is all about maxing out your multi-sensory journey by taking full-body immersive art displays to new heights. teamLab Planets is broken down into eight visual spaces that are categorized into two groups: Water and Garden.
In the Water Area, visitors can explore a vast immersive space, where they walk through a light and shadow art museum situated in water. To enhance the experience, visitors are required to go barefoot, immersing themselves in a natural environment. As you move forward, you’ll be mesmerized by the interplay of music, lights, mirrors, and flower art, as if stepping into a vibrant kaleidoscope.
In July 2021, teamLab Planets unveiled its new exhibition area, the Garden Area, with a captivating theme of “flowers”. Here, the art museum is adorned with flowers, moss, and an astonishing display of 13,000 hanging orchids, evoking a whimsical and enchanting atmosphere akin to a fairy tale.
The highest form of art is combined with creativity to unlock your imagination through different senses, making it a one-of-a-kind immersive gallery to enjoy.
teamLab Planets TOKYO Tickets
With its reputation on the rise, teamLab Planets is always chock full of visitors. For that reason, the staff limits the number of visitors each day. You’ve gotta reserve your tickets in advance, receive a QR code, and show up at the ticket counter at least half an hour before your reservation time.
Book tickets online to save queuing time at the venue：teamLab Planets TOKYO Tickets
Visiting Notes
To fully lose yourself in this incredible world of art, you’ve gotta explore them barefoot. Even better, there will be a space where your knees are submerged in water and your back is found resting on the floor full of seasonal flowers.
For that reason, everyone is asked to leave their shoes in a locker before entering. From there, your once-in-a-lifetime excursion begins, starting from a maze-like dark room before your eyesight is soaked in a light-flooded series of displays and enchanting music. Mobile phones and cameras are all welcome!
3 Essential Tips For First-Timers To teamLab Planets TOKYO
- Leave your shoes, socks, and bags at the locker before entering.
- Be prepared to get your feet wet as some spaces incorporate water effects to unleash your senses.
- Leave your skirts at home. Some art installations are set up with a mirror floor to enhance the visual effect, which may not come in handy if you enter the space without fully covering your bottom.
The 8 Art Installations At teamLab Planets TOKYO
Waterfall of Light Particles at the Top of an Incline
After checking and leaving your shoes in the locker, follow the order of the visit and first enter the “Water Area”. Before stepping into the water, there is a peaceful black corridor, which heralds the beginning of a magical journey.
This is the first section you’ll get to. Waterfall of Light Particles marks the beginning of the Water area, infused with a tantalizing sound of flowing water jutting down your feet as you’re soaring upstream on a steep incline. The whole experience seems as if you’re reaching a waterfall at the top of the climb
What makes it even more special is the light effect creating a “faux flow” in disguise. All of those tiny particles cascade down shining bright in complete darkness.
Soft Black Hole
Next up, the Soft Black Hole appears once you’ve done patting dry your wet feet. Get ready to be stunned at the “moving floor” as they set it up into a giant plush bed with lots of pillows hanging around. This is where you’ve gotta game up your navigating skill as there will be a little challenge waiting ahead. The floor is designed to modify its shape whenever someone steps foot on it. Keep a close eye on your step as your body’s weight will be affected by the changing space.
The Infinite Crystal Universe
Not until I visited teamLab Planets TOKYO did I have any idea what pointillism is all about. Here at the Infinite Crystal Universe, pointillism, an ultimate revolutionary painting technique, is incorporated into full use to create three-dimensional objects. All you need to do is stand still and admire the dance of lights flushing all around you. It’s like floating in the universe with millions of stars wrapping you from all directions.
Water Surface Created by the Dance of Koi and People – Infinity
Once your visit to the Infinite Crystal Universe comes to an end, head out to the black corridor. Get ready to have your feet wet again as the water level at this Infinity space is a tad deeper than the Waterfall of Light Particles you saw at the beginning.
All of a sudden, koi fish from all four directions begin to creep in. And as your knees fall deep in the water, it seems as if you’re stepping out into the black ocean of a far-away universe. And once these enchanting koi fish crash into your knees, they will turn into flowers and scatter. Depending on which season you’re visiting, the flowers will change throughout the year.
These koi are not pre-recorded images, but through computer programs and precise calculations of light projection, they can show the picture of koi dancing with people, making every participant a co-creator of art.
Three-Dimensional Existence in Transforming Space
Feel the touch of nostalgia as you return to the good old days chasing balloons when you were still a kid. At teamLab Planets TOKYO, the Three-Dimensional Existence in Transforming Space embraces you with a world of massive balloons made of free-floating lights. Traverse through the light-strapped space as you meander through the giant spheres that change colors at every touch.
Floating in the Falling Universe of Flowers
Wanna watch your body dissolve into a different world? Unleash your imagination with a step into the Falling Universe of Flowers. Sit back, lie down, and imagine that your body is floating in the middle of fallen flowers. Those tiny particles of light are created using a pre-recorded image played back on a computer program.
This is the last art space that belongs to the Water area before you step into “the Garden”.
Moss Garden of Resonating Microcosms
The Moss Garden of Resonating Microcosms is connected to the locker area where you keep your belongings. Here you will see a directional sign that eventually leads you to an outdoor space where the Garden is set up.
The Moss Garden is one of my favorite things to see at teamLab Planets as the visual effects of these artworks fluctuate throughout the day. When the sun beams down, the rocks will glow. Since the visual effect of artworks relies heavily on the movement of sunlight and weather, the Moss Garden will remain closed to the public in case of typhoons or downcast weather.
Floating Flower Garden
Last but not least, the Floating Flower Garden caps off your visit to the Garden area. Once again, flowers come into play. But this time, you’ll see them traversing above your head in an open concept while the massive floor is a giant mirror in disguise.
When first entering the garden, the orchids were close to the ground, and during the time in the garden, the sea of orchids would move up and down, creating a different sense of framing.
The number of visitors to the Floating Flower Garden is limited and you can roam free here for five minutes under the watchful eye of the staff.
What Else Can You Do At teamLab Planets TOKYO?
Once you’ve capped off your playtime inside the gallery, head out and recharge in the outdoor area.
Free Space: Table of Sky and Flame
Here you can find a fiery installation called Table of Sky and Fire that pierces into the air, you can take pictures of the works illuminated by the flame on the reflecting long table in front of the restaurant next to it.
Enjoy Vegetarian Ramen at Art Space
Over there, you can also rest up with some tasty bites with a seat out of Vegan Ramen UZU Tokyo. This stellar food spot dishes up a huge selection of vegan ramen, vegan ice cream, and teas in a quirky art-filled space. You can choose to sit indoors or dine outdoors. However, the indoor space is limited to only 12 people at a time.
Ice Cream Shop
Vegetarian ramen on the other side is an ice cream shop.
Food Truck
Want to have some fast food, there are also some food trucks near the queue area to buy snacks.
Key Takeaways: Is teamLab Planets TOKYO Worth Visiting?
teamLab Planets TOKYO may be smaller in scale compared to teamLab Borderless, but it can still be thoroughly enjoyed in just 1.5 hours. Despite its size, this immersive exhibition is definitely worth a visit, and even repeat visits are highly recommended. The visual effects and themes change throughout the year, ensuring a fresh and captivating experience each time. Whether you’re a solo traveler, a family, or a group of school kids, you’ll find people of all ages exploring this mesmerizing space on any sunny day.
Plus, the excellent location allows you to reach with ease by train or car. Even though the biggest downside here is the queue, you won’t be disappointed as long as your tickets are well reserved beforehand.
Book tickets online to save queuing time at the venue：teamLab Planets TOKYO Tickets
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