Borderless: The TeamLab Digital Museum

If you see nothing else while you’re in Tokyo, see this. It’s truly a world without horizons, and it’s constantly changing and unfolding around you.

From the blooming and decaying wheel of life in the floral rooms…

…to the infinite glowing and extinguishing lanterns of the Forest of Resonating Lamps…

…to the swift flow of the seasons over a river of lilypads…

…this digital experience is worth every yen.

Technologically, it’s astounding, with artwork that’s resident in the rooms, and other animated artworks that roam freely through the spaces and corridors.

Much of it in interactive, like this school of fish that scatter when you touch the wall, then change color and circle around the point of contact

The Crystal Universe maze (made of everchanging strings of programmed LED lights) will react to commands from your cellphone app, sending burst of fire or rain or swiftly-growing forests all around you as you wander through it

In this mirrored room, a constantly changing laser light show happens all around you

And in this one, if you stand still, butterflies generate on your chest, then fly across the floor and up onto the wall, set free to wander throughout the building

As an added delight (one you shouldn’t miss), for ¥500 you can sip a bowl of tea at the En Tea House, while bouquets of flowers kindle and bloom atop your bowl

This is just a taste of the delights of Borderless – for a more in-depth look at all the attractions (with videos) and my tips & tricks for getting tickets and enjoying this place to the fullest, click here.

Open: Every day, except closed 2nd and 4th Tuesdays (open all other days, including holidays)

Hours: 10:00 – 19:00; Weekends and holidays 10:00 – 21:00; Last admission is one hour before closing

Admission: Adults ¥3,200; Children (4-14) ¥1000 (under 4 are free); Disabled (with one accompanying person, must show certificate) ¥1600

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While you’re in Japan, read a novel set in Tokyo!