I came back from my trip to Japan. Overwhelmed, inspired, in awe – of literally everything. Let me start with what I did on my last day of the trip – and tell you why you need to visit TeamLab Planets in Tokyo.
What is TeamLab Planets?
As explained in my previous post, TeamLab Planets is now an exhibition centre that was founded by artists and scientists from various fields.
It is one of the most unique places you can visit.
There are 5+ rooms where you immerse yourself in different sensations. You tread in water in some places and rooms. Then you are in a completely dark room. Or in a very humid room. Or surrounded by flowers from all possible sides.
There is literally nothing like this elsewhere. Let me show you 🙂
Infinite Crystals Room
This was one of my favourite rooms in TeamLab. Well, everything was my favourite but this one is the second one in your tour and will leave your jaw on the floor.
You are in the middle of a light and sound show, surrounded by crystals and mirrors. Everywhere you look there is something to marvel at.
All I kept doing while in this room was turning my head around, and wishing I could stay there forever.
Waterpool, Floating Flowers and Moss Garden Rooms
Walking between these rooms often involves walking through water! You are asked to leave your shoes (and socks, obviously) in the lockers, and you can get temp shorts if your trousers are too long for this adventure. After each encounter with the water, there is a little drying area where towels are provided. All nicely hygienic.
So what’s in the Waterpool, Floating Flowers and Moss Garden Rooms? Let me just tell you that nothing prepares you for the experiences you have there.
The Waterpool Room is where you are knee-deep in the water. And you feel you are in a lake with lots of beautiful fish swimming around while a magical music is playing to soothe you.
The Floating Flowers Room is where you sit or lie down on the floor and admire everything around you. The flowers are floating around, while a gorgeous music is playing taking you to a magical place.
And the Moss Room has alien-like items that bounce when touched 🙂 The moss is maintained by hand. There was a staff member who was trimming it with scissors while I was there!
Floating Garden Room
But it’s the last room that leaves you speechless. The idea behind the Floating Garden is that you immerse yourself in the flowers. And while you look at flowers, they also look at you.
The flowers are real! All the gorgeous orchids are real, and they smell amazing. They also move up and down giving you the sensation that you are moving with them – and that the flowers are curious and get closer to your face 🙂
I didn’t know how to recover afterwards!! Good thing the train stop that I need to get to was a bit of a walk away so I had time to process what I’d just experienced. Still not over it! 🙂
I can’t recommend a visit to TeamLab Planets enough. And don’t forget that they are planning to shut down at the end of 2023!
Practicalities of visiting TeamLab Planets
Best thing to do is get a ticket in advance. They release the tickets two months ahead of the next available slots.
TeamLab Planets in Tokyo can be reached by a JLR train – there is Shin-Toyosu train station in front of the venue. Or you can walk from the subway station – Toyosu station; it’s a 10 min walk.
Be prepared to take your shoes and socks off, and have short trousers on. If you’re female, don’t wear a skirt – there are mirrors all over in the exhibition rooms. Also, if you’re bringing a child, be mindful of the amount of water a visitor is exposed to – keep your child by their hand at all times.
There is a small shop, and a restaurant on the premises.
And most of all, leave inspired and blown away 🙂 I still can’t believe I made my dream come true, and it was more than I had ever expected !
