teamLab Planets vs. teamLab Borderless: Which One Should I Go To?

Klook Team

Last updated 27 Mar 2024

What is teamLab known for?

The otherworldly dreamscapes created with lights, water, digital effects, lanterns, mirrors and a bit of magic has made teamLab Borderless and teamLab Planets become two of the most popular things to do in Tokyo; it's vibrantly colourful, fun, experimental, and of course, Instagrammable!

What’s the difference between teamLab Borderless and teamLab Planets?

Both teamLab Borderless and teamLab Planets offer a unique museum experience unlike any other. teamLab Planets immerses you in tactile sensations and hands-on activities, like walking in water. On the other hand, teamLab Borderless invites you into a digital art realm, emphasizing exploration and discovery.

teamLab Borderless offers a whole new level of immersion! Forget about art confined by walls; here, digital masterpieces break free, dancing across rooms and mingling with visitors and other artworks.

Their installations react to your every move, creating an ever-changing, dynamic environment. It's not just an exhibit; it's a captivating journey where you can lose yourself in jaw-dropping visuals, uncovering fresh perspectives with every step.

Whether you crave a hands-on art experience or a plunge into the digital unknown, both museums promise immersive adventures that will truly captivate your senses!

The sheer size and cohesion of Borderless will also make you feel guilty about all those group assignments you half-assed at uni, as it is one big (and we mean BIG) collaboration from a group of individuals across a range of different fields, including mathematicians, architects, programmers and engineers.

Who knew you could achieve something this cool if you all communicate and pull your weight? *mind blown*

Compared to the loose feel of Borderless, teamLab Planets is almost the opposite and requires you to follow a designated path that sends you along a journey through its four main rooms.

This is to make sure you won't miss any of the seven installations that are spread across rooms with names like “Infinite Crystal Universe” and “Expanding Three-dimensional Existence in Intentionally Transforming Space – Free Floating, 12 Colours”. Urgh, rude, that was the special name I had reserved for my future daughter.

teamLab Planets also tends to be a little less congested (very handy for those inevitable photo ops), whereas at teamLab Borderless there may be wait times to set foot in some of the rooms once you have entered the museum. It’s just that popular.

At both Borderless and Planets, you become the art. The experience is described as ‘body immersive’ and this is evident through more than just seeing the lights projected against your skin. Read on to find out how you will become one with the artwork...

How do I get to teamLab?

How to get to teamLab Borderless: Going to teamLab Borderless is a piece of cake. Just make sure you don't mix up the new teamLab Borderless location with the old one in Odaiba or the teamLab Planets museum in Toyosu. It's crucial to maintain clear distinctions.

Thanks to excellent public transportation connections, the museum is easily accessible to both local and international visitors. The nearest station to teamLab Borderless is Kamiyacho station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line. Exit 5 of Kamiyacho Station is your gateway to a world of digital art.

Alternatively, if you're coming from Roppongi Station or Azabujuban Station, a pleasant 15-minute stroll will lead you to the entrance of teamLab Borderless. Situated conveniently in central Tokyo with effortless access, this digital art museum offers a perfect day out in the heart of the city.

For an even more seamless journey, think about getting a Tokyo Subway ticket. This pass gives you unlimited rides on all Tokyo Metro lines, adding convenience to your city exploration and securing you with easy access to teamLab Borderless.

Get easy and convenient access to Tokyo's subway lines with a Tokyo Subway ticket

How to get to teamLab Planets: teamLab Planets is located in Tokyo's Toyosu area, which sits somewhere between Ginza and Odaiba. To catch the train there, hop on the Yurikamome Line from Shinbashi Station (a quick five-minute ride on the Yamanote Line Local from Tokyo Station) and get off at Shin-Toyosu. The trip should take around thirty minutes.

You’ll want to make sure you have the right rail pass (the Suica IC card will work well for this) as well as a SIM card with some data on it so that you can freely hop from train to train and access Google Maps (you know, just in case).

Tap your way through Tokyo trains with your Suica card!

What should I wear to teamLab?

Evoking all the senses, teamLab Planets has sounds, sights and textures. So much so that you will even be barefoot and knee-deep in water during part of your time here so please bear this in mind when dressing for the day.

If you simply must wear your favourite leather leggings but don’t want to get them wet, you can always borrow a pair of shorts that are available free of charge to visitors. Your shoes will be safely stored in the free lockers and towels are available to dry off when you exit the wet room. These guys, they’ve thought of everything!

The people at teamLab also warn patrons that one section of the exhibition features a mirrored floor that may cause discomfort for anyone wearing a dress or skirt and they strongly encourage pants to be worn by guests to avoid this.

Is teamLab easily accessible?

Due to the quick-moving lights, teamLab Planets and Borderless may not be friendly to people who have trouble processing information taken in through the senses.

teamLab Planets is wheelchair accessible, but those who require the use of a chair will need to transfer to a supplied wheelchair to enter the exhibition. Please note that these wheelchairs are the basic, manual kind.

On the other hand, teamLab Borderless is mostly wheelchair accessible, with the exception of some areas where they are restricted and electric wheelchairs are prohibited entirely. While this is disappointing, it is because of an issue of weight loading as the floors are made up of different materials.

How much time do you spend at each teamLab?

teamLab Planets is significantly smaller than teamLab Borderless (which is a massive 10,000 square metres), so while most people should set aside 1 to 2 hours for Planets, you're most likely gonna need around double that to get fully immersed at Borderless.

Sounds like a great oppor-tuna-ty!

Where I can I buy teamLab tickets?

You can book tickets for teamLabs Planets and teamLabs Borderless on Klook for instant confirmation!

Since both teamLab exhibs are extremely popular, it's best to book admission ticket to either or both teamLab Planets and teamLab Borderless before you arrive so you don't have to queue up for tickets or even worse, miss out on entry.

Entry to the exhibitions is by session time, so when you do purchase tickets it will be for a particular time slot.

What's the best time to visit teamLab Planets and teamLab Borderless?

teamLab Borderless is open from 10:00-21:00. The last admission is one hour before closing. But do take note that it's closed on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of every month.

teamLab Planets, on the other hand, is open from 9:00-22:00. Like Borderless, the last entry is one hour before closing time.

Both are usually quietest during the first and last two hours on weekdays, and most crowded around noon and lunchtime during weekends. So we definitely recommend trying to go at these times.

What else is there to do while I’m there?

If you wanna to make a day trip out of teamLab, you sure can! After all, it's one of the coolest things to do in Tokyo.

Toyosu, where teamLab Planets is housed, is located at Odaiba, a man-made island in Tokyo Bay.

Odaiba has been created as something of a family-friendly destination and is home to Japan’s tallest Ferris Wheel (its highest point being 115 metres tall), as well as the famous Joypolis. There are also enough shops and restaurants to satisfy every craving and even a twenty-metre-tall robot statue for you to take photos in front of!

Did you say Joypolis?

Also close to teamLab Planets is Tsukiji Fish Market which is famous for its tuna auctions and probably the freshest sushi in Tokyo. A visit to the fish markets is one of the bucket list things to do in Tokyo.

Here, you can grab lunch at one of the many restaurants or find a quality souvenir in the form of bento boxes, wasabi graters, or ceramics.

Klook Tip: You can see Mount Fuji from the roof of the fish market on a clear day.

To get there, just head back to the train station and jump on the Yurikamome Line to Shijomae station, which sits directly above the market.