teamLab Borderless vs Planets: Which One Should You Visit in 2026?

Concept and Sensory Experience

Deciding between teamLab Borderless and teamLab Planets depends on how you want to interact with art. teamLab Borderless, now located in the modern Azabudai Hills, features a "mapless" concept where digital artworks wander out of rooms, communicate with other works, and sometimes even fuse together. In contrast, teamLab Planets in Toyosu offers a Body Immersive experience where you walk barefoot through the museum. It is famous for its physical sensations, such as wading through knee-high water filled with digital koi and lying down in a room full of floating orchids.

Navigation and Time Commitment

The layout of these two museums dictates how much time you will spend inside. teamLab Planets follows a linear, one-way path, making it easier to manage your schedule with an average visit lasting about 90 minutes. It is a structured journey from start to finish. teamLab Borderless is designed as a labyrinth with no set path, encouraging visitors to get lost and discover hidden rooms. Because of its scale and the way the art changes over time, most visitors find themselves staying for 3 hours or more to fully appreciate the evolving digital landscape.

Practicality and Accessibility

Accessibility is a major differentiator for travelers with specific needs. teamLab Borderless is largely flat and friendly for wheelchair users, strollers, and the elderly, as it focuses primarily on visual and light-based projections. teamLab Planets is much more physically demanding; you must be prepared to roll up your pants for the water areas and navigate soft, uneven floors. While the staff provides assistance, the nature of the "water and moss" installations makes it a more adventurous and potentially challenging environment for those with limited mobility.

Project Lifespan and Urgency

If you are visiting in 2026, urgency might be the deciding factor. teamLab Borderless is a permanent fixture in the Azabudai Hills development, meaning it will likely be available for many years to come. However, teamLab Planets was originally a temporary exhibition. While its closing date has been extended several times due to immense popularity, it is currently slated to close at the end of 2027. This makes 2026 one of the final opportunities to experience the unique water-based installations before they are potentially retired or moved.