At the top of the list of Tokyo must-see museums and experiences is a Teamlab digital art museum. These unique museums are world-renowned and luckily Tokyo is blessed with two Teamlab museums: Teamlab Borderless in Azabudai Hills (central Tokyo) and Teamlab Planets in Toyosu (east Tokyo). Teamlab Borderless and Teamlab Planets museums feature beautiful digital art, immersive exhibits, and an experience that will entertain all visitors. So the question is which one to visit – Teamlab Borderless or Teamlab Planets?
This Q&A post provides a breakdown of the two digital art museums in Tokyo, based on personal experience, to help you decide which you should visit: Teamlab Borderless or Teamlab Planets?
Background to Teamlab Borderless vs Teamlab Planets
The original Teamlab Borderless was located in Odaiba (east Tokyo) but it closed in August 2022. The NEW Teamlab Borderless has moved to Azabudai Hills, a more central location in Tokyo. Teamlab Borderless has new, one-of-a-kind exhibits unique to both the previous Borderless location and to Teamlab Planets.
Teamlab Planets in Toyosu on the other hand, was originally scheduled to close in 2023, however this was extended to 2027 due to the popularity of the museum (and to align with the timing of the construction of a new Teamlab Borderless).
Currently, the new Teamlab Borderless is a permanent experience at Azabudai Hills, while Teamlab Planets in Toyosu is scheduled to close sometime in 2027.
If you’re headed to Osaka during your Japan itinerary, be sure to consider visiting Teamlab Botanic in Osaka too.
What are the main differences between Teamlab Borderless and Teamlab Planets?
Answer: Teamlab Planets requires walking in water and follows one route, while Teamlab Borderless has more exhibits, a tea house, and is open-concept
Teamlab Planets has two main themes, “water” and “garden” that they base many of their exhibits off of. It is famous for its exhibits where guests walk first ankle-deep and then shin-deep in water while digital koi fish and flowers disperse around them. Another exhibit used for Teamlab Planets marketing is one where beautiful orchid flowers are hung from the ceiling and surround visitors. One path is followed by guests to go from room to room, and there is no back-tracking allowed.
Teamlab Borderless is an open-concept digital art museum where guests can visit (and re-visit) all of its exhibits freely. The art in many of the rooms and hallways change over time, creating a unique experience every time you turn a corner.
Teamlab Borderless also has the En Tea House within it, which guests can enjoy tea and matcha ice cream in a room where digital flowers bloom in every cup. More on that below! Teamlab Planets however, is next door to Vegan Ramen UZU which has Teamlab features inside.
Some of the exhibits are the same or similar across Teamlab Borderless and Planets, too.
Is it worth going to both Teamlab Borderless and Teamlab Planets on a trip to Japan?
Answer: No, especially if you are staying less than one month, unless you’re a really really big fan.
Some of the exhibits are the same or similar in Borderless and Planets, so whichever museum you visit first will take away the magic of the second museum.
I recommend visiting only one while in Tokyo: Teamlab Borderless or Teamlab Planets.
How much time to you spend at Teamlab Planets vs Teamlab Borderless?
Answer: Plan to spend 1-1.5 hours in Teamlab Planets and 2-3 hours in Teamlab Borderless.
Teamlab Planets takes less time to explore every exhibit compared to Teamlab Borderless, and its layout means you’re not able to backtrack. Teamlab Borderless and its open, no-map (borderless!) concept means you could wander there for hours.
Because of its open concept and ability to backtrack and spend more time here, Teamlab Borderless is also high on my list of rainy day things to do in Tokyo.
Which Teamlab museum is better for kids?
Answer: Teamlab Borderless is better if you are visiting Tokyo with kids.
Teamlab Planets is known for sections where visitors have to walk in water, sometimes shin-deep. This increases the risk for slips and spills, and wet clothes mean upset kids! Very small children will also have to be carried through the exhibit or skip the exhibit altogether.
Teamlab Borderless and its open concept is a wonderland for children. It has many interactive and kid-friendly exhibits and activities. One special exhibit allows guests to color in a marine animal: fish, shark, turtle, squid, etc. and then see it come to life on the exhibit walls!
Another fun exhibit for kids at Teamlab Borderless is the central waterfall room where kids (and adults) can slide down a middle mound while being dazzled by the digital art (see the bottom photo of this post for reference).
Which Teamlab museum is better for couples?
Answer: Both Teamlab Borderless and Teamlab Planets are perfect date spots for couples
Both Teamlab Borderless and Teamlab Planets has several exhibits that are perfect for getting close to your significant other.
At Teamlab Planets, one room is basically one giant foam cushion, where couples have a chance to snuggle along the sidelines. The Teamlab Planets main attraction of a large room filled shin-deep with water is a perfect hand-holding opportunity. Another exhibit is like a planetarium, where everyone could lie down on the floor and watch flowers fall across the sky. A great potential cuddle sesh!
Both provide great photo-ops for a new favorite couples pic!
Which Teamlab museum is better to make a day-trip out of?
Answer: Both Teamlab Borderless AND Teamlab Planets!
Which is less crowded, Teamlab Borderless or Teamlab Planets?
Answer: Teamlab Planets is less crowded than Teamlab Borderless
If you hate crowds, you’d better head to Teamlab Planets and not Borderless. Because Planets has just one path to follow, people move much quicker through this digital art museum. With the re-opening of Teamlab Borderless as well, Planets is seeing fewer crowds.
Teamlab Borderless’s layout is open-ended, so people end up spending many more hours there. Especially because it has only opened recently, Teamlab Borderless has once again become a highly sought-after Tokyo museum destination. That being said, it does not feel over-crowded compared to other popular theme parks in Japan because of its massive size, so there are plenty of quiet rooms and spaces which less people too.
Is it worth visiting En Tea House in Teamlab Borderless?
Answer: Yes, if you can spare 600 yen for a tea
EN TEA House is a beautiful tea room where guests can rest and have a tea, latter, or ice cream in the Teamlab Borderless Museum. En Tea is a sustainability-oriented tea company which sources their tea leaves from Hizen, Kyushu. The special experience at En Tea House in Teamlab Borderless is watching digital flowers bloom in your tea cup! Not only do the flowers bloom, the petals float away and disperse when you pick up your cup to take a sip. The fun part is that the flowers know exactly where your cup is on the table, and will always grow within the cup as long as there is still some tea left inside.
Visiting En Tea House at Teamlab Borderless is totally worth the 600 yen tea fee for the beautiful and unique experience. If you can, get the tea and ice cream combo for 1200 yen (about $8 USD) and see tea tree branches and butterflies sprout from your ice cream cup!
Which Teamlab museum is better overall?
Answer: In my opinion, Teamlab Borderless is better than Teamlab Planets
Teamlab Borderless has a huge variety and number of immersive art experiences. I love its open concept, which means visitors are free to wander to every exhibit, and go back to their favorites. Because you’re free to circle back and spend more time in your favorite rooms, Teamlab Borderless is definitely worth it for the money.
Conclusion: If you have to pick one, go to Teamlab Borderless!
Once you’ve decided Teamlab Borderless or Teamlab Planets, here are some other things to do in Tokyo!
- Read up on my Tokyo itinerary – The Perfect Three Days in Tokyo Itinerary
- Check out the highlights – Top 15 Things To Do In Tokyo
- See Tokyo’s weird and quirky side – 50 Weird And Unique Things To Do In Tokyo
- Learn where to escape the crowds – Off-The-Beaten-Path Places In Tokyo
- Get out of the city for a day – Best Day Trips From Tokyo
- Gain some elevation over Tokyo – Six Amazing Tokyo Viewpoints
Teamlab Borderless
Teamlab Planets
Pin This Post!
Borderless vs Planets: Which Teamlab Museum is Better?
