I recommend booking Team Lab Planets directly via their website. It’s really easy to just see what time slots are available.
I have visited the new Team Lab Planets exhibition many times since it opened, I was taking pictures on Instagram and was posting them left right and centre. It was just so fantastic!
However, every time I post about it I confuse many people who assume that I am talking about the Team Lab Borderless exhibit in Odaiba.
Please note that Team Lab Borderless closed its doors August 31st 2022 and is rumoured to reopen in 2024.
The Team Lab Planets exhibition is held in Toyosu. There is a section where you actually step into water. Then, on the water, are projected images – fish, flowers, swirls and patterns. You can also interact with the images (my son loves ‘chopping’ the petals of the flowers and they really did break away!)
If you were in Japan 7-8 summers ago, you may have visited the temporary version of this exhibition in Odaiba.
I did and it was the reason that I rushed to DMM planets the day after it officially launched.
It was the most fun family activity we have had in a while. Every member of my family was just blown away.
We usually spend around 1.5-2 hours here.
Scroll to the bottom of this post to see my advice on what to take with you.
But, first off, make sure you download the Team Lab Exhibition App so that you can interact with the exhibition and even “control” some rooms.
I recommend booking online to get the time slot you would like.
We got the 9am slot on a Sunday and it wasn’t crazily busy at all.
Team Lab Planets exhibition website
Extra tip: If you miss out on Team Lab Planets tickets or are looking for tickets last minute – check the Team Lab Planets website at 8am of the day you would like to visit as a few tickets are released at precisely that time.
These hallways are throughout the whole complex.
And this is the room with the projections on water. I thought this room was so magical.
There is a common misconception that, because you walk into water, this is a summer only event. Not true.
The whole exhibit is indoors. The water is walm. You really only get wet calves and towels are provided for the very moment you leave the water to wipe your legs down immediately.
The final room is projections on a mirrored floor and ceiling and visitors are invited to lie on the ground.
This room is full of gigantic inflatable balls.
* I’m a total nerd so I took a full change of clothing for both my kiddies – and I have no regrets – we needed them as they both got properly wet. I also took one small towel (although they do provide everyone with little towels on the way out.)
* They have got much more strict now about children in wet clothing not being allowed to enter the final two rooms. For that reason – you MUST put the children’s spare clothing in the locker so you can change them immediately if asked.
* For adults, I recommend wearing shorts (not skirts as the floor is mirrored in parts) then you won’t need to roll up your trousers when you get to the water section.
* For obvious reasons, I recommend everyone wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off for everyone
* No need to worry about having too many bags, all items are to be stored in lockers (included in the ticket price.)
* There is stroller parking out front. Kids will need to walk or be in baby carriers.
SOMETHING TO NOTE:
If someone in your family might struggle with the first room ( walking through a room of squishy bean bags) let the staff know and you can skip this section.
Where to eat after Team Lab Planets?
Right outside of Team Lab Planets you will find a little pop up container van selling Vegan Ramen.
Or if you’re looking for a lunch spot afterwards walk for 10 minutes to Lalaport Toyosu (a huge department store). It has a food court with ramen, curry, hamburger spots, KFC, freshness burger, Ben & Jerrys etc.
My kids love to eat at Aloha Table inside of LaLaport Shopping Mall. It is just two minutes walk from Team Lab Planets ( there’s also a big playground in between) is LaLaport Shopping Mall which contains “Aloha Table” – one of my kids’ favourite spots for lunch or dinner. They love the kids menu – mostly the pancakes with the chocolate pen for decorating.All kids’ meals come with a small toy and, if it’s your birthday the staff will come out and sing.
This restaurant accepts most major credit cards, is entirely non-smoking and also has outdoor seating. They also have space for strollers. It is possible to make a reservation but we have always just walked in.
The full Aloha Table menu is here.
ALOHA TABLE, TOYOSU
豊洲2-2-1 アーバンドックららぽーと豊洲3 1F
GROUND FLOOR, URBAN DOCK LALAPORT TOYOSU 3, 2-2-1 TOYOSU
OPEN EVERYDAY 11AM-1oPM
Also, you aren’t far away from Tsukiji Outer Market (35 mins on foot, 10 mins / approx 1500 yen by cab or 14 mins by bus). Not as full of character as the old markets but are fun to walk through if you’re in the area. Note: the markets close down around 1-2 pm on weekdays.
Water play options near Team Labs?
During Summer, there is also a splash pad for children aged elementary school 2nd grade aged and younger.
It is 7 minutes walk away from Team Lab Planets.
Only toilet trained children allowed ( no swimming nappies.)
Children must wear swimsuits.
TOYOSU PARK SPLASH PAD
2-3-6 TOYOSU, KOTO-KU
JULY 2- SEPT 9, 2019 OPEN 10AM – 4PM
CLOSED MONDAYS
Playground near Team Labs?
Toyosu Park also has a really nice playground too.It is just a few minutes walk from the Team Lab Planet entrance.
I think it is appropriate for toddlers through to elementary school age kiddies.
What else is close to Team Lab Planets?
Tsukiji Outer Market
Kidzania
Odaiba
Ginza
In summer, there is also a splash pad for small children near here.
Toyosu Park Splash Pad
During Summer, there is also a splash pad for children aged elementary school 2nd grade aged and younger.
It is 7 minutes walk away from the DMM Planets exhibition ( details here.)
Only toilet trained children allowed ( no swimming nappies.)
Children must wear swimsuits.
TOYOSU PARK SPLASH PAD
2-3-6 TOYOSU, KOTO-KU
JULY 2- SEPT 9, 2019 OPEN 10AM – 4PM
CLOSED MONDAYS
SIDE NOTE: Did you know there is a new Team lab in Osaka now?
July 29, 2022 – Team Lab opened a new outdoor night time only exhibition at Nagai Botanical Gardens in Osaka. It is a permanent exhibition. Purchase Team Lab Botanical Garden tickets here. It is closed every second Monday – see the Team Lab website for details.
Nagai Botanical Gardens are approximately 40 minutes from Osaka Station on public transport.
