teamLab Borderless: Mori Building Digital Art Museum, Tokyo
In the heart of Tokyo's Roppongi district lies one of the most extraordinary destinations for art and technology enthusiasts: teamLab Borderless: Mori Building Digital Art Museum. Originally opened in 2018 in Tokyo's Odaiba district, the museum will move to Azabudai Hills (麻布台ヒルズ) in 2022. It invites visitors to immerse themselves in a fascinating world of digital art where the boundaries of space, time and reality disappear.
teamLab Borderless: The Concept
teamLab Borderless is different from traditional museums with static paintings or sculptures. Here the visitor becomes an integral part of the artwork. The digital installations respond dynamically to movement, creating an experience of complete integration with the surrounding space. The displays have no fixed boundaries and can move from room to room, creating a sense of living art. For example, digital flowers can bloom underfoot, disappear and reappear elsewhere, adding to the sense of a constantly evolving environment.
Built on the principles of total immersion, the museum fuses light, sound and space to dissolve the boundary between reality and art. Without maps or signposts, visitors are encouraged to explore freely, wandering through vast fields of light, mazes and cascading waterfalls. This ensures that every visit is a unique and personal journey.
teamLab is an international collective of artists, engineers, programmers, architects and other creatives whose work fuses art, technology, design and nature. Founded in Tokyo in 2001, teamLab is known for its innovative digital installations that blur the boundaries between people and their environment. A defining characteristic of their work is interactivity; their creations depend on visitor engagement through movement, touch or presence in space.
The museum is divided into five main zones, each with its own unique digital art installations, offering an unforgettable blend of technology and creativity.
Borderless World
The central area of teamLab Borderless, called Borderless World, is a dynamic space where art reacts and evolves in response to visitors' actions. Here, artworks move freely between rooms, while digital landscapes, animals and plants constantly transform. Visitors can explore the space at their own pace, choosing their paths as their movements and presence influence the surrounding installations. For example, animals may follow you across zones, or projections may adapt to the time of day and the density of the crowd.
Unlike traditional museums, where exhibits are separate and static, Borderless World creates a sense of a unified, fluid space. The projections interact with each other and flow seamlessly between zones, enhancing the immersive experience for each visitor.
Light Sculpture
The Light Sculpture area captivates visitors with its innovative use of light to create art that transcends the ordinary. This space is filled with dynamic installations where streams of light intersect to create mesmerising three-dimensional shapes and illusions. A highlight of this area is the Light Vortex installation, where beams of light envelop the audience, simulating the sensation of being immersed in a cosmic vortex.
With its array of sculptural light works, this area offers a transformative experience, transporting the viewer to a whole new reality shaped by light and imagination.
Bubble Universe/Microcosmoses
The Bubble Universe/Microcosmoses area at teamLab Borderless offers a captivating blend of light, interaction and endless reflections. This immersive space features bubble-like spheres that glide across a mirrored floor, emitting light and seemingly reacting to each other.
At the heart of the installation is Wobbling Light, which creates the illusion of infinite motion in the universe. The light from the globes changes colour, creating a spectrum of hues that reflect endlessly off the mirrored surfaces, creating a sense of infinite space and ever-changing lighting effects. This unique environment invites visitors to lose themselves in a mesmerising interplay of light and movement.
Future Park
Future Park at the teamLab Borderless Museum is a dynamic space designed to inspire creativity and imagination through interactive experiences, making it particularly popular with families and children. This area encourages visitors to engage with the artworks and actively participate in creating their own digital worlds and stories.
One of the most popular installations is Sketch Ocean, where visitors can draw sea creatures on paper and watch their creations come to life on a giant aquarium-shaped screen. These animated characters swim, react to their surroundings and interact with each other, creating a vibrant living ecosystem. In other areas of Future Park, children can build cities, design cars and see their digital creations seamlessly integrated into the evolving virtual world.
EN TEA HOUSE
EN TEA HOUSE is a unique space where the traditional Japanese tea ceremony seamlessly blends with modern digital technology. Guests can enjoy a cup of tea while watching their drink become a canvas for digital art. As tea is poured into the cup, virtual flowers bloom on its surface, dynamically responding to visitors' movements and interactions.
This experience beautifully combines the meditative essence of the tea ceremony with the artistic aesthetic of teamLab, creating a serene atmosphere. The blooming digital flowers not only visually enhance the space, but also symbolise the cyclical connection between life, nature and art.
The EN TEA HOUSE embodies the museum's overarching concept of unity between humanity, nature and technology. It is one of the most tranquil and reflective areas of teamLab Borderless, offering visitors a moment of harmony and beauty in a modern, digital format.
Visiting Tips for teamLab Borderless: Mori Building Digital Art Museum
Here are a few tips to make the most of your visit:
- Tickets: Tickets sell out quickly, especially on weekends, so it’s best to book them 2–3 weeks in advance on the official website.
- Clothing: Some areas feature mirrored floors, so avoid wearing loose shorts or skirts for comfort and privacy during your visit.
- Best Time to Visit: The museum is popular year-round. To avoid large crowds, visit on weekday mornings or book evening slots.
Opening Hours
Open daily: 9:00 AM–9:00 PM
(Tuesdays: Until 5:00 PM)
Ticket Prices
Entrance Pass:
- Adults: ¥4,000–¥5,400 (depending on the date)
- Ages 13–17: ~¥2,800
- Ages 4–12: ~¥1,500
Premium Pass:
- Adults/Children: ¥10,000–¥12,000
teamLab Borderless offers an immersive world where art becomes interactive and alive. Its unique approach appeals to both art enthusiasts and those new to the art world. Children delight in the interactive installations, while adults are captivated by the profound meanings and innovative concepts. Among the top things to do in Tokyo, visiting teamLab Borderless is an absolute must for tourists, offering a unique and unforgettable experience for every itinerary.