TeamLabs Planets and Borderless in Tokyo - An Honest Review From A Fan

As a Japan travel enthusiast, I'm often scrolling through a ton of advice forums and threads. One of the most discussed topics on these threads is TeamLab.

If you're unaware of what TeamLab is, they're essentially a company that has grown quite significantly in a short amount of time for their art installations. And not just any art installation, they have been quite innovative with art projections, digital art and interactive types of art. I wouldn't go to say that they're pioneers in the field - but they've certainly inspired and gained global recognition for this type of artwork.

Most of their initial installations are limited time displays, like the one above in Kyoto City's Shimogamo Shrine. As you can tell, I've been a huge fan of their work for many years. The way they use the venue they've chosen, adding vibrant colours and making their work super interactive has always captivated me. I'm sure other fans and non-fans alike feel the same about their work and it always brings crowds out. As they've gained more traction, they announced their permanent and semi-permanent spaces in Tokyo - the now TeamLab Borderless and Teamlab Planets.

I've been to both at various times of my life in Japan. I visited Planets on my own and Borderless a year or two later with my partner.

As a fan, of course I had high expectations of both. But also as a fan of digital art and art projections in general, I have seen other companies like NAKED INC. and other smaller companies in direct competition with TeamLab - so I think I can be as unbiased and honest in my reviews of both places.

Are They Worth Your Time?

Let's just get to the nitty gritty - as a tourist, is this a must-do activity?

Keep in mind that this is essentially an art museum. If museums aren't your jam, then of course you're probably not gonna vibe with it. That said though, I don't usually seek out art museums myself, but I grew to have a soft spot for digital art. So who knows, you might discover a new hobby or interest!

But of course, nothing is a "must-do" activity. Just because there's a lot of hype and rave about something, doesn't mean you HAVE to do it.

A lot of people who go to these are "influencers" or just here for the money shot - if you will. You'll find lots of people going not really in awe of the technology involved, but just here to aggressively scout for the best selfie so they can brag online about it. And it might ruin the experience a little when you're just trying to enjoy the art, but someone and their photographer is glaring at you, waiting for you to move so they can get their shot. When TeamLab used to be an outdoor event, there was always ample space for everyone to pick an area they liked for photographs because there was just so much space. With an enclosed permanent space, the reality is that you're just fighting for a small piece of the pie.

However, I do think art projections are pretty uniquely an Asian experience. I know the west is slowly catching on to these types of art museums, but the way that these exhibits are made to be immersive just hits differently. The way that the projection reacts to your movements is really cool if this isn't something you experienced before.

In the summertime too, it's a great way to get yourself out of the heat and still be doing something or another. So I think it's up to the individual to gauge if TeamLab is something worth their time or not.

Now, my honest opinion of each individual indoor venue...

TeamLab Planets

I know travel forums and tons of travellers rave about this place, but out of ALL of the digital art and art projection exhibits I've been to, this is easily one of my least favourite exhibits.

I wouldn't say I had a terrible time, but all in all as a fan, I feel like they can be doing so much more with the space.

Planets is a very linear experience. If you're a gamer, think of this as a more... dungeon crawler experience. You're basically "forced" to go from one room to another room after another room. Each room is different from another room, but it's not like going to IKEA where there's "shortcuts" you can return to. Of course, nothing's stopping you from turning back, but if I remember correctly, they do discourage it? (as is quite common in exhibit in Japan to discourage two-way traffic and jams from happening)

There is no time limit or anything, but each room is disproportionately "small" compared to the number of people they let inside. It just feels crowded no matter what room you're in and it just doesn't make you want to stay longer than it should. There was ample room to walk, though it always felt as if you're in someone's way. Some rooms are also only immersive if you can find a chair to sit or floor space to lay down to enjoy it. If you're unable to find an empty chair, you're sort of forced to move on or wait for someone to get up so you can enjoy it.

At the time of me going, I also felt that some of the art is just a recycled version of some of their previous works. The eggs (same as what they have at Shimogamo Shrine) for example, has been hashed and rehashed time and time again.

And as you can see in the picture above, the experience requires you to go barefoot. There's a locker area to store your shoes and socks (and other belongings) so you don't have to carry it around, but I personally wasn't a huge fan of going barefoot. Yes, it was clean and stuff. There is a kind of disinfecting area before the water... but you never know if someone has warts or something they can pass along without you knowing?

Just not a fan.

It's a cute place to bring your date though. There are lots of varieties in each room too, so there is something for everyone.

And definitely DO NOT take my word as gospel. I have friends that thoroughly enjoyed and highly praised this experience - however, I do just want to put it out there that this experience might not be for you. And that's ok!

TeamLab Borderless

While Teamlab Planets had more tactile objects and interactive spaces throughout, Borderless focused more on the digital arts but also incorporates some interactive technologies into this space.

For the lack of a better explanation, it feels like going to play laser tag with friends without lasers you can control, mixed without some aspects of being in a McDonald's playplace (like a jungle gym or a ball pit like a kids play area).

The fun part of Borderless is trying to find all the available rooms there are in the building and making sure you've seen everything. If you're just rushing through it, it's very likely you'll miss a room and not quite get the full experience.

Personally, I did enjoy the exploration part. But a lot of it is for the Instagram mongrels.

100% a major part of everyone here is trying to get the money shot, which can really hinder the experience if you're actually trying to admire the digital art. But something about Borderless does make the experience a bit more magical in a way that Planets does, and if you can't tell, I definitely did have a better time at Borderless than Planets.

Borderless (at the time of me going in 2019) was the bigger of the two venues. It had two stories. The first floor was the "continuous borderless world" that is advertised on their website, while the second floor is the "jungle gym" interactive portion that I tried to describe. It was a great area for kids to play in, but also a place for adults to enjoy too.

There is also an area that's extra cost - the teahouse. It projects digital art into the tea (heat mapping?), which is a nice little area to relax.

That said, it is the more expensive of the two and if you're not much of a digital art person nor someone who takes photos for the 'gram, you may not get as much out of someone who enjoys both of these things. When it gets crowded and people are trying to take the "best photos", this can cause more frustration than anything.

Regardless, as long as you have realistic expectations, such as knowing that you'll always be among people and being able to get the "money shot" is a bonus not a guarantee - I think you can have a decent time. The biggest complaints I see about both Planets and Borderless is that the "advertisements" (eg, the models on the website can take a lovely photo of themselves without people around) don't match the reality. Which, is kind of silly, but I suppose many people forget Tokyo is literally a huge metropolis full of tourists, so....

(shrugs)

Anyway, if you have a natural appreciation for digital art, nature and colours - please go!

If you've ever been to Borderless and/or Planets before, what were your thoughts? Curious to know what you guys think! Let me know!!