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Honest TeamLab Planets Tokyo Review: Worth It or Tourist Trap
When you Google the most Instagrammable spots in Tokyo, TeamLab Planets is everywhere – floating orchids and stunning light displays.
As someone not big on museums, I was sceptical, but this digital art museum in Tokyo blew me away!
It’s more than just pretty pictures; it taught me that art isn’t just about paintings or sculptures—coding can be art too!
The immersive experience, especially the floating orchid garden, made me feel like I’d stepped into another world. What I thought for selfie tourists is really for everyone!
Here’s my no-nonsense review of TeamLab Planets Tokyo– if it’s worth the hype, how to score the best tickets, what to wear, and how to make the most of your day in Toyosu!
What is it?
What is teamLab in Japan?
teamLab is an international art collective all about creating immersive experiences that pull you right into the artwork.
It’s not your typical museum; here, you’re part of the action!
Touch something, and watch it come to life—lanterns float, orchids sway, and lights change as you move through the space. It feels almost magical!
How many teamLabs are there in Tokyo?
Tokyo has two teamLab exhibits: Planets and Borderless. Both bring that incredible digital art vibe, but each has its own twist.
Borderless is huge, with loads of exhibits where you can really get lost.
Planets is smaller but just as fun. When I visited Tokyo for a week in 2022, Borderless was closed for renovations, but now it’s back, so you can enjoy both-
But keep in mind that Japan isn’t really an affordable place for tourists.
So if you want to visit both, think of budget and the differences between the two.
Difference between the two Exhibits
Both exhibits are mind-blowing, but if you’re short on cash or time, it’s totally fine to pick just one.
You’ll still have an epic experience! Planets has 6-8 cool exhibits (hello, Floating Orchids and Dancing Koi!).
You’ll need about 2 hours to take it all in, while Borderless is massive—think 100,000 sqm of digital craziness! If you’ve got the time (and cash), spend half a day there.
Is teamLab Planets Tokyo worth visiting?
Absolutely! The immersive art here is made for everyone, no need for art expertise. You become part of the experience, as the digital effects change with the crowd.
The displays are updated twice a year, so each visit can be fresh and exciting. When I visited, there were 8 zones.
1. Infinite Crystals
This exhibit felt like a never-ending blanket of lights. Walking on the glass floor reminded me of Interstellar.
You can scan a QR code in the zone that takes you to an app where you can control the lighting with your phone. It felt pretty cool to have control over such an amazing space on my own.
2. Floating in the Falling Universe of Flowers
This is the most soothing experience – flowers floating all around, creating a dreamy atmosphere.
Lying down makes you feel like you’re dissolving into the flower world. It’s romantic and serene, but don’t stand too long or you might feel dizzy from the overwhelming beauty.
3. Floating Flower Garden
Imagine orchids floating in mid-air, creating space as you walk under them. The mirror walls make it feel endless, like you’re surrounded by these delicate flowers.
The smell is lovely, and the entire garden has a fragile, ethereal vibe. I couldn’t help but tread carefully.
4. 3D Existence in Transforming Space
Cotton candy spheres changing colours felt magical! I loved how tapping on them changed the light and mood of the entire room.
Every new colour brought a different energy to the space. The floating spheres and shifting colours made me feel like I was controlling the environment.
5. Water Surface with Dance of Koi and People
Walking through Koi swimming beneath your feet is magical. When they touch you, they bloom into flowers, like love spreading around.
The more people there, the better the show. This experience made me appreciate the beauty of connection and movement. Koi truly symbolise love.
6. Moss Gardens
These moss installations felt alive, changing colour with the air. I was fascinated by their resilience and how they thrive in a world of rocks.
The transparent “Godzilla eggs” added an intriguing touch. This exhibit made me think about life’s fragility and the beauty of simplicity.
7. Soft Black Hole
This exhibit brought back childhood memories. Walking on a soft, undulating surface reminded me of carefree days playing outside.
It’s like a giant, bouncy playground for adults and kids. Falling, crawling, and laughing felt refreshing, like reconnecting with my younger self.
8. Waterfall of Light
Inspired by a real waterfall, this light installation felt magical. The light particles create an illuminated cascade, and I loved how even a small ray brightened the entire space.
It made me think about how a little light can change everything, just like in life.
How to get here?
teamLab Planets Tokyo is located in Toyosu, a man-made island in Tokyo known for its fisheries. Getting there is easy by public Transport.
Just take the Yurikamome Line to Shin-Toyosu Station, and it’s only a 1-minute walk to the museum. Or, take the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line to Toyosu Station, which is a 10-minute walk.
I always use Japan Transit Planner to figure out the Tokyo subway lines; it’s a lifesaver!
Ticket Information
Ticket prices vary, but you’re looking at around 4,200 yen for entry. If you plan to visit during peak times, definitely book ahead.
You can reserve your tickets up to 3 months in advance, which means you can skip the long lines—total win!
Do you need to book tickets in advance?
It’s definitely best to book your tickets ahead if you’re visiting during peak season. Trust me, the last thing you want is to waste an hour in line when you could be inside enjoying the art!
You can book tickets up to 3 months in advance, and picking your time slot online means skipping the waiting line—total win!
They sell a limited number of fixed-date e-tickets; availabilities are every 30 minutes
Plus, when you book online, you can choose your preferred time and skip the waiting line.
Where to book tickets?
Get your tickets to teamLab Planets Tokyo on Rakuten Travel Experiences. It’s super easy to buy —works with any international card, and prices are the same as the official site.
Plus, booking through Rakuten saves you from the long queues (trust me, even in the off-season, people were stuck waiting!).
We saw some folks struggle with fake tickets or incorrect QR codes from dodgy agents, so avoid that mess.
With Rakuten, you can just save the QR code on your phone, no printing needed. Their customer service is great too—hassle-free if you need a refund or change dates.
Best Time to Visit
There’s no specific season to visit teamLab; the temperature is regulated, so it feels the same inside year-round.
What is the best day to go to teamLab Planets?
The best day to visit this digital art museum is on a weekday.
It may surprise you, the place is very popular with locals! Many college students love taking photos in this digital art museum, and they often choose to go on Saturdays or Sundays.
What to Expect Inside
Expect a lot of optical art, moving digital installations that feel like they are a part of you, objects you can’t touch but can walk through, dim lighting with illuminated pathways, and a mix of fun, surprises, shocks, and colours.
You’ll experience sensations like touching water, feeling the wind, and hearing music.
How much time do you at teamLab Planets Tokyo?
You’ll need about 2 hours here to take it all in, but we ended up spending 3.5 hours—it’s just that amazing. Plan for at least 2-3 hours to fully enjoy the experience.
How to explore each zone?
Once you start, you’ll move from one zone to the next in a single direction. No going back, so don’t worry—you won’t miss anything as you flow through each part of the museum.
Does teamLab Planets have luggage storage?
Yes. They do have luggage lockers. In fact, apart from your phone or a small sling bag, you’re not allowed to carry anything inside.
Luggage storage is included in your ticket.
You’ll also need to store your footwear and jackets in the locker, for which you’ll receive a key.
Clear instructions on how to use the lockers are provided in both Japanese and English.
Are there toilets in teamLab Planets?
Yes, it has toilets, but they are only accessible before or after entering the zones, not in between the zones.
Can you take pictures in teamLab?
Of course, yes! Honestly, most people come here to take pictures, so feel free to snap as many as you want—just be mindful of others.
But try to enjoy the installations beyond just using them for photos. It’s pretty cool to take a moment to appreciate what the artists had in mind, how they brought it to life, and how we get to experience it all.
You can bring your camera inside, but I wouldn’t recommend it. There are water-based experiential zones, and you’ll be walking, sitting, and jumping quite a bit. Having a camera isn’t very comfortable while moving around the zones.
What to Wear and Prepare For
Certainly, there is no dress code to be followed here. But you must keep in mind certain things.
Because we saw a few tourists struggling inside who wasn’t aware of what they were getting into.
What to wear to teamLab Planets Tokyo?
Wearing a long, flared skirt is a fabulous idea for capturing those picture-perfect moments.
Just make sure it’s light enough because there are spots where you might find yourself bouncing around or crawling like a kid again!
Most famous exhibits here got mirrors on all four sides—wearing a skirt or dress could turn into a surprise show if you’re not careful.
So, a little tip: rock some skinny tights underneath to avoid any unintended wardrobe malfunctions with those sneaky flooring mirrors!
And if you forget to wear something under your skirt, don’t panic!
The museum has got your back with free wrap-arounds and shorts—just remember to return them later, or you might get a bill for the fashion faux pas!
You need to be barefoot for the full experience, so slip on some easily removable shoes.
The temperature inside is regulated, so feel free to stash your parkas or jackets in a locker during winter—no need to sweat it! What was essentials for Japanese winter were kept in the locker while entering teamlab planets zones.
Just a heads-up: your feet will get wet as you wade through the pleasantly lukewarm water that’s about a foot deep.
So, opt for foldable pants that you can roll up, or in summer, go for those stylish shorts. Trust me, you’ll want to be prepared for a splash!
Things to Do Around teamLab Planets
Visit the Tuna fish auction at 5AM at Toyosu market – you must pre book this so that you are accompanied by a Japanese guide (The place is not open to common tourists without Japanese guides).
Have breakfast at the market area.
Relax at Toyosu park
Take Odaiba Monorail to see weird things like – a statue of liberty and a strange-looking Ghibli clock.
Have lunch at Toyosu Market Restaurants.
Have a nice view of the Tokyo skyline from the Toyosu market roof garden
Chill at the Toyosugururi Park by the bay and head to teamLab planets later.
Visitor Tips and Hacks
Listen to the intro video when you enter—it’s full of handy dos and don’ts!
Go during the week to avoid crowds, and try to visit in the first or last two hours of the day.
Combine your trip with other Toyosu experiences to save on transportation.
If you want to stay closer to Teamlab Planets, choose a hotel Ariake neighbourhood – You get a room with bay view. Plus you will also stay closer to many Toyosu and Odaiba attractions.
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