teamLab Borderless or Planets: Which Should You Add to Your Tokyo Plans?

The interactive exhibits by art collective teamLab are one of the must-see spots for many first-time visitors to Tokyo – but, if you can only visit one, which should you add to your plans? This guide helps you decide.

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Should You Visit teamLab at all?

It took me a long time to visit teamLab’s Tokyo exhibits as I wasn’t sure I would like them.

While I like large-scale art, I wasn’t sure if this would be a morning of dodging people posing for endless photos in the same spot and getting on my nerves (I went to the outside nighttime teamLab in Osaka and hated it for this reason), or so insanely packed you couldn’t enjoy it.

Spoiler alert – I was wrong. Neither of those things happened and I absolutely loved it!

But I do see people going to teamLab because everyone else does, and not enjoying it. So here’s what to expect…

Floating in the Falling Universe of Flowers at teamLab Planets

• teamLab Borderless and Planets are huge complexes of rooms with different artworks within them.
• Generally, the art is digital – so protected onto the walls, floors and ceilings; interactive, so it often changes in reaction to the people in the room around it; and immersive, it swirls and swims around you.
• If you don’t enjoy art, it’s unlikely to be for you.
• If your idea of good art is paintings with lots of detail you can focus upon, it also might not be for you – this is all about the big picture (literally and figuratively).
• If you are in Japan for the history, tradition and shrines, it’s definitely not for you. This is modern Japan at its finest.

Borderless World at teamLab Borderless

• There are people taking pictures (and you will too), but the crowd control is pretty good, and the exhibits are huge, so you can always find your own space – especially if you go at a less crowded time. So, don’t let the influencer element put you off.
• The complexes are large, you can’t see outside, and there can be some darkness and disorientation. People in my Facebook group with claustrophobia have said it can be a bit overwhelming.

So now you have an idea of whether teamLab is generally for you; how can you decide between Borderless and Planets? Art, obviously, is subjective. One person will love Borderless; another will love Planets. Here’s what I think you need to consider to decide which one is better for you.

Which is Right For You?

Still not decided? Then check out the following points to consider and learn why they make a difference when deciding which teamLab you should visit.

Are You Travelling With Kids?

In this case, I would say Planets is better.

The most noticeable difference I noticed between Borderless and Planets is that Borderless is about standing in the art; Planets is about playing in it.

You can swing on things, bounce on squishy balls and wade through water. If you have kids (or adults) who might get bored just wandering around looking at art, Planets will let them have fun and let off some steam.

Rapidly Rotating Bouncing Spheres in the Caterpillar House at teamLab Planets

It’s also close to Odaiba, which is a fantastic place to spend the day with kids.

The only thing I did notice is some younger kids got scared walking into the water room at Planets, as the water looks dark and murky. You can’t see the bottom, and it kind of freaked a few of them out, so just watch for that.

Are You a Germaphobe?

Might sound like a weird question for an art exhibit, but it’s very relevant.

teamLab Planets has two water areas – one sees you wading through rushing water, one sees you standing in water up to your calves.

Drawing on the Water Surface Created by the Dance of Koi and People – Infinity at Teamlab Planets

The water is chlorine-treated, and apparently they check it every hour to ensure it’s still keeping things hygienic, but, because it’s cloudy water, it’s still a bit creepy, and I’m the type of person who only cleans my house when I can’t stop sneezing! Saying that, though, the water area was the area in Planets that made me go WOW, so, don’t skip it.

I’ve seen a lot of people say that Planets smells of feet – either because of the water or because people have their shoes off in a few areas. I didn’t notice that – I was there first thing, though.

Planets is More Popular

Once upon a time, Borderless was far more popular than Planets – then, Planets expanded and now, it’s the hotter ticket in town.

According to official teamLab figures, in 2025 1.69 million people visited Borderless, while 2.51 million went to Planets.

This means Planets is slightly harder to get tickets for and may feel more crowded in places. That’s it below…

When I look at ticket availability as I write this, tickets for both are still available for today (it’s a normal Thursday in June, so low season). But….

Currently, Borderless has four fully sold-out slots and two almost sold-out ones; Planets has four sold-out slots, but every slot up until 2.30 pm is on limited tickets. Every single day on sale for June and July is also marked as ‘selling out.’

Weekends are busier at both, but whereas Borderless has three slots sold out for this Saturday, Planets is totally sold out between 9 am and 4 pm. They do control crowds well, but if you want to visit Planets, make sure you book in advance, especially if you want to visit at a weekend, want a morning slot, or are visiting in a busy season.

I also noticed I had to queue to get into Planets, but at Borderless I walked straight in. I booked the first slots at both.

Once inside, even though it’s busy, you can always find some space. The ‘draw your own fish’ exhibit at Borderless did have a small queue by the time we got to it; about 45 minutes after opening, and I do wonder whether you might need to queue for some of the more active rooms in Planets later in the day when more people are in the facility.

Does Anyone in Your Group Have Mobility Issues?

This was the main reason I hadn’t visited Planets before now – I used to have a leg issue that affected my balance. As I entered the first part of Planets on a bouncy surface, I was glad I waited to come until I was fixed and could do this easily.

If you are less agile, or are travelling with seniors, or others with limited mobility, I would stick with Borderless, which is mostly flat.

Ariel Climbing Through a Flock of Coloured Birds at teamLab Planets

Also note that you do need to remove your shoes in a few areas of Planets. If you find walking without shoes difficult or uncomfortable, go to Borderless.

If you’re visiting with a guest in a wheelchair, Borderless feels like the better venue as it’s a more passive. Planets has a clear list of exhibits that aren’t completely accessible in a wheelchair, although they do have specially adapted chairs for the water areas and viewing areas for most exhibits.

Borderless states that some areas might not be accessible in a wheelchair, and to ask staff for more details. I can’t find a list of exactly which exhibits this applies to; however, at Planets, they do specify a weight limit of 250kg on the mirrored floors, so this might also apply there and might limit those in specially adapted, heavier wheelchairs.

Which Has the Best Art?

This is too hard to call – plus, it’s going to be highly subjective.

However, I was blown away by the water area in Planets, and I do think the exhibits overall at Planets are more innovative and varied.

Saying that, as an overall art experience, I preferred Borderless. It felt more like I was there to enjoy the art itself while Planets felt a bit like being at a technicolour playground in places.

Drawing on the Water Surface Created by the Dance of Koi and People – Infinity at teamLab Planets

I also hate anything that requires me to download an app to participate in it – and, some of the exhibits at Planets are interactive only if you use the app, and I didn’t want to download stuff and stare at my phone. This ruled out a couple of areas.

Which Has the Most Art?

It feels like Borderless does – and this is a lot to do with its layout.

Planets leads you through the exhibits in a vaguely linear fashion, while Borderless is all interconnected spaces and, even within these, because the artwork transforms with time or activity in the room: a space that looks one way when you first entered it might be different when you go back.

Infinite Crystal World at teamLab Borderless

I was pretty sure my friend and I had walked every inch of Borderless, then she saw a picture someone had posted of a room that neither of us recognised!

If you look at the actual layouts, Planets is divided into four exhibition areas – Water, Garden, Athletics Forest and Outdoor. Within this are, if I’ve counted them correctly, are 29 different artworks.

Borderless also has four main areas – Borderless World, Bubble Universe, Future Park and EN TEA HOUSE. Again, assuming I’ve counted right, there are 63 different artworks, or variations of artworks inside.

This means Borderless contains more to see, but Planets has a greater variety of works – it’s not just projections.

Both have an extra eating/drinking space – the EN TEA HOUSE at Borderless and IZU Vegan Ramen at Planets – these extend your experience as they also have projections but…

The time of day you visit might play a role in whether you visit these – tea can be drunk at any time (plus the teahouse opens just 30 minutes after Borderless opens), while you might not fancy a bowl of ramen if you arrive having already eaten lunch, and if you arrive first thing you might leave Planets before IZU opens at 10.30 – or not fancy ramen that early.

Which is the Best for the ‘Gram?

Now this is interesting. I always think of Borderless as Instagram gold, but – but as I was pulling out my pictures for this piece, I actually think Planets wins here.

Floating Flower Garden: Flowers and I are of the Same Root. The Garden and I Are One at teamLab Planets

The art is a bit more varied and innovative – and it seems to create a better selfie than Borderless.

Consider Their Locations

I put this last as I think it’s the least important factor in making your decision. Neither teamLab is in a busy tourist location, so you’ll have to travel to whichever you choose, but if you still haven’t quite picked which is right for you, you might want to pick one that fits better with other things you want to do.

teamLab Borderless is located in a ‘new’ area of Tokyo called Azabudai Hills.

It takes 25 minutes to get here from Shinjuku Station and about 35 minutes from Asakusa.

This is close to Tokyo Tower. It’s probably easier to combine with other activities in Central Tokyo than Planets is. The closest station is Kamiyacho, on the Hibiya Line – but there are a couple of others a short walk away.

teamLab Planets is located in Toyosu in east Tokyo. This takes a bit longer to get to. You either need to get on the Yurikamome Line from Shiodome, or take a train to connect to one of the local buses that leave from Shimbashi Station.

It takes about 40 minutes to get here from Shinjuku Station or Asakusa.

Despite its seemingly remote location, teamLab Planets is easy to combine with a trip to Odaiba, the restaurants at Toyosu Market or the fantastic Small World’s exhibit.

Other Things You Might Be Wondering

While I think the points above are the most important to consider when comparing teamLab Borderless vs teamLab Planets, there are a few other things you might be wondering.

Do They Cost the Same?

Comparing random dates on their teamLab website, each location costs the same for the same date and time. One thing to notice, though, is that ticket prices in each location change throughout the day. Early slots cost more than later ones, and it’s cheaper the further in advance you book.

It won’t make much difference if you’re travelling solo, but a family of four or five could save quite a few yen by picking a cheaper slot or booking earlier.

Prices range from 3600 yen to 5600 per adult depending on the time of year and time of day. Children under four visit free; 4-12-year-olds pay kids’ prices while 13-17-year-olds pay student prices. Tickets go on sale two months beforehand. They release a month at a time.

It’s best to buy them directly from teamLab as that allows you to change the time and date if you need to, but if you prefer to keep everything in one place, you can also book in advance via Klook – they sometimes have special deals like free ice cream if you have a tea at EN TEA HOUSE.

Book Planets here on Klook or, find tickets via the teamLab website here.

Book Borderless here on Klook, or find tickets via the teamLab website here.

The Infinite Crystal Universe at teamLab Planets

Do They Have the Same Exhibits?

No. The only thing that kind of crosses over is the room with the crystal spheres, which you find at both Borderless and Planets, but even that is slightly different between the two. I think I preferred the one at Borderless.

You could easily visit both teamLab Planets and teamLab Borderless and not be bored.

What’s the ‘Must See’ at Each?

A bit subjective, but in my opinion

At Borderless

My Favourite: EN TEA HOUSE – it was just magical. The picture below is my ice cream.

Social Media Must-Do: a picture of you sitting on the ‘rock’ in Borderless World as the lines swirl behind you.

en Tea House at teamLab Borderless

At Planets

My Favourite: The water area called Drawing on the Water Surface Created by the Dance of Koi and People – Infinity. I loved the fish, and the way the lights swirled around you.

Social Media Favourite: Floating Flower Garden: Flowers and I are of the Same Root. The Garden and I Are One – although it’s very hard not to get other people’s legs in your shot.

At Both

The Crystal rooms – it’s called Infinite Crystal World at Borderless and The Infinite Crystal Universe at Planets.

How Long Do You Need to Spend?

One or two hours would be a normal amount of time to spend at a teamLab. I spent 90 minutes at Borderless and an hour at Planets.

You could easily spend longer at Borderless, though, as the rooms change – you could walk around the whole place two or three times and see different things each time.

What Should You Wear?

Both exhibits have mirrored floors, and they suggest people don’t wear skirts – I do not own trousers or clothing-style shorts, and this was another reason I hadn’t visited before. On this trip, I made sure I packed some gym shorts.

At Borderless, I wore a short dress with opaque tights – I had my shorts in my bag, but I didn’t feel I needed them. Only one area was mirrored, and the tights hid anything concerning.

At Planets, you can’t wear tights as your feet are going to get wet. I also had a more A-line dress on. I put on my shorts and was glad I did, as you could see a lot more with the lighting and style of my skirt. I also had to tuck my dress into my shorts in the water bit. If you are wearing jeans or trousers, make sure you can roll them up to your knees or bring shorts to change into, or they will get wet.

Expanding Three Dimensional Existence in Transforming Space at teamLab Planets

How Do They Compare to teamLab Biovortex Kyoto?

I’ll tell you when I get to Kyoto – but, Kyoto is the biggest teamLab so far, so if you have to pick one and have time in Kyoto to visit, I would choose that one.

Which Did I Prefer?

I preferred Borderless. I wasn’t interested in climbing on things or using the app, so that took a lot of Planets out of the equation for me – I did miss a few rooms for that reason.

Saying that, though, the exhibit that most delighted me of the two was the water section at Planets. I was glad I went just to see that.

Also, looking back over my pictures a few weeks later, I’m more wowed by the art at Planets, but that didn’t really come across on the day. I think maybe some of it photographs better than it appears in person.

Moss Garden of Resonating Microcosms at teamLab Planets

Also, the teahouse at Borderless opens shortly after the facility does, which means it’s accessible even if you book the first slot of the day. Conversely, the Vegan Ramen place outside Planets doesn’t open until 10.30 am. I was finished by 10 am though, and I didn’t want to hang around, so I felt I missed out.

But the whole point of this post is so you can choose the one that is best FOR YOU – so my opinion doesn’t really matter. Whichever you choose, it’s an amazing experience for those who love immersive art.

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