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TeamLab Planets vs. Borderless: Which Tokyo Digital Art Museum Is Right for You?

Compare Tokyo’s top digital art museums, teamLab Planets and Borderless, to find the best fit for your travel style and season.

Can’t decide between teamLab Planets and teamLab Borderless for your Tokyo trip? You’re not alone. Both are stunning immersive art museums, but they offer very different experiences.

In this guide, we’ll compare them side by side so you can choose the perfect teamLab adventure for your travel style, season, and time budget. Plus, we’ll share essential tips on tickets, planning, and staying connected in Japan with a Nomad Japan eSIM.

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Source: teamLab

Quick Comparison – Key Differences Between Planets and Borderless

FeatureteamLab PlanetsteamLab Borderless
ConceptFull-body immersion, water-based artArt flows between rooms, no set path
Best ForSensory seekers, photography loversExplorers, families, repeat visits
PhysicalityBarefoot, water, uneven surfacesWalking only, more accessible
Experience TypeGuided, sequential flowFree-roaming, open discovery
Time Needed1.5 - 2h2.5–3+ hours
Seasonal SuitabilityGreat for summerGreat year-round
LocationToyosuAzabudai Hills (central Tokyo)
StatusOpen until end of 2027Permanent exhibition

What Is teamLab? A Digital Art Revolution

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Source: teamLab

teamLab's innovative approach has garnered global acclaim, with exhibitions held in major cities worldwide, including New York, London, Paris, and Singapore. Their work challenges traditional notions of art, inviting audiences into a fluid, ever-evolving digital universe.

teamLab Planets Tokyo – An Immersive Sensory Experience

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Source: teamLab

Highlights:

  • Walk barefoot through water and mirror-filled rooms
  • Interactive koi fish respond to your movement
  • Ideal for Instagram and immersive photo moments
  • Limited-time exhibit (ends 2027) — don’t miss out!

When to visit: Summer or spring for a refreshing sensory escape.

teamLab Borderless – Explore a World Without Boundaries

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Source: teamLab

Highlights:

  • Art moves across rooms and evolves as you explore
  • Family-friendly and wheelchair-accessible
  • Features like Forest of Resonating Lamps and Athletics Forest
  • Newly reopened at Azabudai Hills in 2024

When to visit: Great in any season, especially winter.

Still Deciding? Here's How to Choose

Choose Planets if:

  1. You want a unique, physical, limited-time experience
  2. You love walking through water and immersive textures
  3. You’re visiting during Tokyo's hotter months

Choose Borderless if:

  1. You prefer to explore at your own pace
  2. You're traveling with kids or older family
  3. You want a museum you can return to again

Pro Travel Tip – Stay Connected with a Nomad Japan eSIM

Whether you're navigating Tokyo, buying teamLab tickets online, or sharing live Instagram Stories, staying connected is key. A Nomad Japan eSIM gives you:

  • Fast 4G/5G data across Japan
  • Instant activation, no physical SIM needed
  • Flexible plans for any trip length
  • Skip the roaming fees and stay connected from the moment you land.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is teamLab Planets or Borderless better for kids?

Both can be enjoyable for children. Borderless might be slightly more suitable for younger children due to its open, exploratory nature and less emphasis on walking through water. Planets can be fun, but the water installations might be a concern for some parents.

How long does it take to go through each teamLab?

For teamLab Planets, most visitors spend 1.5 to 2 hours. For teamLab Borderless, you can easily spend 2.5 to 3 hours or more, as its non-linear design encourages extended exploration.

Can I buy tickets at the door?

While it might be possible, it is highly discouraged, especially during peak seasons. Tickets often sell out online, and at-the-door availability is not guaranteed. Online tickets are also typically cheaper.

What should I wear to teamLab Planets?

Wear comfortable clothing that allows for movement. For the water installations, wear pants or skirts that can be rolled up above your knees. You will be barefoot, and they provide shorts if needed.

Is teamLab Borderless permanent?

Yes, teamLab Borderless is a permanent exhibition. It reopened in Azabudai Hills in February 2024 after its previous location in Odaiba closed.

Final Verdict: Why Not Both?

If your time and budget allow, visiting both Planets and Borderless offers a complete immersion in teamLab’s evolving art universe. Each museum showcases a different philosophy, sensory vs. spatial, making them equally memorable in their own right.

Get your tickets for teamLab Planets

Get your tickets for teamLab Borderless

Embark on Your Digital Art Journey with Nomad

Whether you choose the body-immersive journey of teamLab Planets or the boundless exploration of teamLab Borderless, your visit to Tokyo's digital art museums promises to be an unforgettable experience. These unique attractions offer a perfect blend of art, technology, and interaction, making them a highlight for any traveler.

And with a Nomad Japan eSIM, you can ensure your entire Tokyo adventure, from navigating the bustling streets to sharing your stunning teamLab moments, is seamless and connected.

Plan your visit, secure your tickets, and get your Nomad Japan eSIM today for an uninterrupted digital art exploration in Tokyo!