TeamLab is an international art collective that celebrates art and nature through interactive displays and immersive experiences. There are hundreds of exhibits located all over the world and they are constantly being changed, moved or removed. Most of Japan’s exhibits are due to be in place until 2027, so don’t wait too long or you’ll miss out!
Are you up for the Challenge?
These experiences are not for everyone but if you have an open mind and are willing to take your time to truly understand and enjoy each display, it can be an incredibly interesting and memorable experience. The installations are completely immersive, which is understandably uncomfortable for some individuals. For example; some exhibits will require you to sit silently with your eyes closed in a crowded room of people while you embrace the sounds around you. Others require you to remove your shoes and socks and walk through a shallow pool with colourful light projections. And some ask you to lay down on the floor while installations are projected or moved mechanically around you. The goal is to allow the viewer to experience and even interact with the art, rather than just observe it from a distance. But this means that you need to be willing to get involved.
Japan currently has interactive exhibits in three major cities;
- Tokyo – TeamLab Planets
- Osaka – TeamLab Botanical Garden
- Fukuoka – TeamLab Forest
Each location has it’s own unique exhibits, so it is possible to view them all without seeing the same art piece twice.
TeamLab Botanical Garden in Osaka:
What is it about?
An all outdoor experience within Nagai Park in Osaka City. The purpose of the display is to blend the relationship between man-made and natural elements of life and to prove that artificial digital projections can turn nature into art without harming it.
What to expect:
With incredible use of light and sound projection, you walk through various stimulating displays that appeal to almost all your senses. The installations are best observed at night and are spread out throughout the gardens.
Price and Booking:
All tickets must be booked in advance and can sell out. Admission is 2000yen per adult and 600yen per child (disability discounts are also available). Once inside, there is no time limit for your visit, however if you leave, you cannot re-enter the park.
Need more information?
Visit the TeamLab website for more information about tickets, requirements and booking
Know before you go:
- Entry will be refused if you have large luggage or bags
- Small bags are permitted, however they will be searched on entry
- You will need to walk between each installation, so bring comfortable shoes
- The park is quite large so allow plenty of time to explore
- The venue is all outdoors, therefore take into account weather conditions and outdoor temperature and dress accordingly
TeamLab Planets in Tokyo:
What is it about?
A barefoot experience where the viewer immerses themselves fully into the artwork. The artworks change, move and respond to the movements of the viewer to create a connection between the art and the observer.
What to expect:
This exhibit comprises a series of rooms, each with a unique and stimulating artwork. The entire exhibit is a barefoot experience to create a greater sense of connection and increase the sensory input of the artworks. Before entering, you are required to remove your shoe, place them in a locker and roll up your pants to knee height. Some of the artworks involve walking through shallow water, so this is necessary to prevent clothing getting wet. Pants are also recommended, since some artworks have mirrored floors, causing issues for skirts and dresses. Shorts are available for hire at the venue if needed.
Pricing and Booking:
Tickets are limited and sell out fast, so booking in advance is highly recommended. The price of tickets vary depending on the day and season but on average an adult ticket is about 4000yen (discounts are available for students, children and disability access). In order to limit the number of people experiencing each artwork at a time, tickets are allocated a time slot for entry. This time will need to be selected when purchasing your ticket.
Need more information?
Visit the TeamLab website for more information about tickets, requirements and booking
Know before you go:
- The entire experience must be barefoot, I you do not wish to remove your shoes and socks you will be denied entry
- Your legs and feets will get wet during the experience, pants will need to be rolled up to knee height to avoid getting wet
- Skirts, dresses and loose clothing are not recommended due to mirrored flooring (shorts are available for hire at venue)
- Some artworks use flashing lights, repetitive projections and movements and rotating surroundings that can cause reduced depth perception or vertigo, or trigger ocular health issues.
TeamLab Forest in Fukuoka:
What is it about?
An indoor collection of works with two unique forest exhibits; the ‘Catching and Collecting Forest’ and the ‘Athletics Forest’. Both exhibits allow you to interact with digital projections and sensory surfaces to interact with the art around you. One exhibit is based on the ‘catch, study and release’ program, while the other trains spatial awareness and physical response to stimuli.
What to expect:
The Catching and Collecting Forest is a large interactive space with colourful projections of plants and animals on the floors and walls. The exhibit is linked to a downloadable app that allows you to capture various creatures, learn about them on your smartphone and then release them back into the projections.
The Athletics Forest is a collection of smaller areas that combine projected stimuli with physical movement challenges. Sensory surfaces and visually pleasing artwork are combined to create a fun and interactive way of learning by stimulating the body and mind.
Pricing and Booking:
Booking is recommended for this exhibit, however it is considerably less busy that the other Japanese TeamLab installations. Tickets cost 2400yen per adult, with discounts available for children and individuals with disabilities.
Need more information?
Visit the TeamLab website for more information about tickets, requirements and booking
Know before you go:
- Walking surfaces are interactive and involve movement so comfortable shoes and clothing is recommended
- Some artworks use flashing lights, repetitive projections and movements and rotating surroundings that can cause reduced depth perception or vertigo, or trigger ocular health issues.
- Use of a smartphone is required for some of the interactive features, wifi is available throughout the venue if required.
