teamLab Planets vs teamLab Borderless: Which One to Visit (2026)
One is barefoot and water-based and closes in 2027. The other is a dry maze with no map. Here's which teamLab to pick, and who each one suits.
There are two teamLab museums in Tokyo, and people book the wrong one all the time. teamLab Planets in Toyosu is barefoot and water-based, follows one fixed route, and is scheduled to close at the end of 2027. teamLab Borderless in Azabudai Hills is dry, has no map, and asks you to wander. That difference is the whole decision.
Short answer: Planets for the famous wade-through-water photos, families, and anyone who wants a clear route. Borderless for unhurried exploring and a more grown-up, lose-yourself visit. If you're choosing one, read on.
In 3 minutes, you'll know:
- How the two differ on price, length, location, and what you actually do
- Which one fits first-timers, families, photographers, and mobility needs
- How to get to each, and what to do if your date is sold out
teamLab Planets vs Borderless: the comparison
| teamLab Planets | teamLab Borderless | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Toyosu, on the bay (Koto) | Azabudai Hills (Minato), central |
| Experience | Barefoot, water-based, one fixed route | Dry, maze-like, no set path |
| Signature rooms | Knee-deep water with digital koi, mirrored sphere, floating orchids | Lamp Forest, Bubble Universe, works that wander between rooms |
| Typical visit | 60–90 minutes | 2–3 hours |
| Adult price (from) | ¥3,600 (DMM, dynamic) | ¥3,800 (official, up to ~¥4,800 peak) |
| Child 4–12 / under 3 | ¥1,500 / free | ¥1,500 / free |
| Closing | End of 2027 | Permanent (reopened 2024) |
| Best for | First-timers, families, the famous photos | Repeat visitors, unhurried explorers |
Both use timed entry, both sell out weeks ahead in high season, and both reward booking early. The experience is the real fork: Planets is structured and sensory and over in about an hour and a half; Borderless is open-ended and easily fills an afternoon.
Which one for you
First time in Tokyo, doing one teamLab. Pick Planets. The water rooms and mirrored sphere are the images that made teamLab famous, the route is linear so you can't miss anything, and it fits neatly into a half-day with Toyosu Market. The 2027 closing also makes it the time-sensitive choice.
Families with young children. Planets again. The fixed path and 60-to-90-minute length are far easier with kids than Borderless's open maze, where there's no map and no strollers are allowed inside. Both charge ¥1,500 for ages 4 to 12 and are free for under-3s.
You've done Planets, or you want depth over spectacle. Borderless. With no set route and works that drift between rooms, it rewards two to three slow hours and a willingness to get pleasantly lost. It's the more adult, contemplative of the two.
Photographers. Both deliver, differently. Planets gives you the signature shots everyone recognises, but you're barefoot and managing water, and on mirrored floors you'll want trousers. Borderless is dry and easier to shoot in for longer; tripods, selfie sticks, and flash aren't allowed, but handheld photos and video are fine.
Mobility or accessibility needs. Lean Borderless. It's dry, central, and wheelchair access is possible for much of the space, though some works can't be reached and capacity is limited, so call ahead. Planets involves going barefoot, walking through water, and uneven sensory floors, which is harder for some visitors. Neither permits re-entry.
How to get to each
teamLab Planets (Toyosu). One minute from Shin-Toyosu Station on the Yurikamome line, or a 10-minute walk from Toyosu Station on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho line. About 15 minutes by taxi from Tokyo Station. Pair it with Toyosu Market in the same half-day.
teamLab Borderless (Azabudai Hills). Inside the Azabudai Hills complex in Minato, walkable from Kamiyacho Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya line and from Roppongi-itchome. Closer to central Tokyo and easy to combine with Roppongi.
The two are roughly 30 to 40 minutes apart by metro. Doing both in one trip works well; doing both in one day rushes both, since each needs its own timed slot and Borderless alone runs two to three hours.
Booking and what to do if it's sold out
Both run on timed entry with no meaningful walk-up, so the date matters more than the price. Planets releases new dates on the 1st of each month, about two months ahead, and weekend and holiday slots from that batch go first. Borderless sells through its own official ticket store, where dates can also be changed up to three times if your plans move.
If your date shows sold out on Planets, check GetYourGuide before giving up, because resellers hold their own allocation and a slot gone on DMM can still be live there. For the full Planets booking walkthrough, sold-out tactics, and what to wear, see our teamLab Planets tickets guide.
Where to book — teamLab Planets
Where to book — teamLab Borderless
Our take: If you're doing one, book Planets — the signature photos, the easier route, and the 2027 closing all tip it. Already seen Planets, or want a slower, central, grown-up visit? Book Borderless direct.
Verified facts
- teamLab Planets — location
- Toyosu, Koto. 1 min from Shin-Toyosu Station (Yurikamome), 10-min walk from Toyosu Station (Yurakucho line).
- teamLab Planets — price & length
- From ¥3,600 adult (DMM, dynamic) · ¥2,800 teen · ¥1,500 child 4–12 · under-3 free. About 60–90 minutes. Barefoot, water rooms, one fixed route.
- teamLab Planets — closing
- Scheduled to close at the end of 2027.
- teamLab Borderless — location
- Azabudai Hills, Minato. Walkable from Kamiyacho Station (Hibiya line) and Roppongi-itchome.
- teamLab Borderless — price & length
- From ¥3,800 adult (official, dynamic, up to ~¥4,800 peak) · ¥2,800 ages 13–17 · ¥1,500 child 4–12 · under-3 free. About 2–3 hours. Dry, no map, no fixed route, no re-entry.
- Distance apart
- Roughly 30–40 minutes by metro. Both timed entry; both sell out in high season.
- Book tickets
- Planets: DMM (official) · GetYourGuide (4.6★). Borderless: official teamLab site.
Prices, hours, and entry slots are dynamic and can change. Confirm on the official sites before your visit.
Last verified: June 2026
Frequently asked questions
Is teamLab Planets or Borderless better?
They're different experiences, not better or worse. Planets in Toyosu is barefoot and water-based, follows one fixed route, takes 60 to 90 minutes, and suits families and first-timers who want the signature wade-through-water rooms. Borderless in Azabudai Hills is dry, has no map, and rewards two to three hours of unhurried wandering. If you can only do one and want the photos everyone knows, pick Planets, which is also scheduled to close at the end of 2027.
Can you visit both teamLab Planets and Borderless in one day?
You can, but most people shouldn't. The two are about 30 to 40 minutes apart by metro (Planets in Toyosu, Borderless in Azabudai Hills, Minato), and each deserves its own timed slot and unrushed visit. Borderless alone runs two to three hours. If you want both, book Planets for the morning and Borderless for late afternoon, or split them across two days.
Which teamLab is better for families with young children?
Planets. The fixed route, shallow water rooms, and 60-to-90-minute length are easier with kids than Borderless's open-ended maze. Note that at Borderless no strollers are allowed inside and there's no map, which can be hard with small children. Both charge ¥1,500 for ages 4 to 12 and are free for under-3s.
How much do teamLab Planets and Borderless tickets cost in 2026?
Planets starts at ¥3,600 for adults on the official DMM store, with dynamic pricing that rises on weekends. Borderless starts at ¥3,800 for adults on the official teamLab store and can reach around ¥4,800 on peak dates. Both charge roughly ¥2,800 for teens and ¥1,500 for children aged 4 to 12, with under-3s free. Both use timed entry and both sell out, so book ahead.
Which teamLab is closing, and when?
teamLab Planets in Toyosu is scheduled to close at the end of 2027, which makes 2026 and 2027 the last full years to see it. teamLab Borderless in Azabudai Hills reopened in early 2024 and is a permanent fixture with no announced closing date. If the barefoot water rooms are on your list, treat Planets as the time-sensitive one.
Planning the rest of the trip? Our teamLab Planets tickets guide covers booking, sold-out tactics, and what to wear, the 10 best museums in Tokyo ranks where teamLab sits against the Tokyo National Museum, Mori, and Ghibli, and the Tokyo visit guides hub has the rest of the planning.