teamLab Planets TOKYO DMM.com is an immersive museum created by the digital art collective teamLab, showcasing interactive spaces and artworks powered by digital technology. Since its opening in 2018, it has gained widespread popularity as a one-of-a-kind digital art museum. In 2023, it was recognized by Guinness World Records as the most-visited museum globally for a single art group.

Its popularity extends far beyond Japan, gaining global attention through social media. From March to August 2023, approximately one million visitors from 182 countries and regions outside Japan experienced teamLab Planets, accounting for 70% of the total visitors. This remarkable international appeal has cemented its status as a must-visit destination in Tokyo.

On January 22, 2025, teamLab Planets unveiled a brand-new area, expanding its space by approximately 1.5 times. This addition introduces three new zones centered around educational themes:
・Athletics Forest – A dynamic, three-dimensional creative play space that challenges movement and coordination.
・Catching and Collecting Forest – An interactive experience where visitors use a smartphone app to capture and observe extinct animals.
・Future Park – A collaborative space designed to inspire creativity and envision the future through co-creation.

With over 20 new artworks, this expanded area offers even more immersive experiences.

The LIVE JAPAN editorial team, along with staff members Hou from China and Johanna from Sweden, had the chance to experience the newly opened area firsthand! In this article, we’ll share its highlights and the best ways to enjoy it.

Athletics Forest is a new creative exercise space designed to enhance spatial awareness, based on the concept of "perceiving the world through the body and thinking in three dimensions." Visitors can fully immerse themselves in various themed environments using their own movements, making for an engaging and dynamic experience.

Autonomous Abstraction

Athletics Forest features interactive projects that engage the body, along with two unique art installations. Upon entering the area, visitors are immediately surrounded by one of these artworks, Autonomous Abstraction, a vibrant display of countless colorful dots. As you touch them, the colors and movements shift, eventually reorganizing into new forms.

Aerial Climbing through a Flock of Colored Birds

Aerial Climbing through a Flock of Colored Birds features numerous suspended rods stretching through the air. Designed to evoke the feeling of humans traversing a space carved out of the sky, this installation allows visitors to move across the rods, creating the sensation of walking freely through the air.

"As you step onto a rod, its color changes, and when a flock of birds flutters nearby, the colors shift unpredictably. These unexpected transformations make the experience even more fascinating," says Johanna. This dynamic interaction is inspired by the natural behavior of birds, which synchronize their movements when flying in flocks.

Rapidly Rotating Bouncing Spheres in the Caterpillar House

Rapidly Rotating Bouncing Spheres in the Caterpillar House invites visitors to jump and move around on colorful spheres that fill the space. This interactive experience is connected to another artwork, Flutter of Butterflies from the Caterpillar House, which tells the story of a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. If you continue stepping only on spheres of the same color, the entire space bursts with movement, releasing countless caterpillars—an awe-inspiring sight.

"It’s surprisingly difficult to keep stepping on the same color! But when you succeed, the transformation of the entire space is a must-see. The futuristic effects are truly stunning," says Hou.

"The difficulty changes depending on which color you choose, so picking the right one is key! (laughs) The bouncing sensation is so much fun that you’ll want to keep trying again and again. You can even turn it into a race with friends at the same difficulty level or synchronize your jumps to play together—it’s a great experience for groups!" adds Johanna.

Multi Jumping Universe

Stepping onto the trampoline-like floor creates stars beneath your feet, which grow and fade as you jump across the space. This mesmerizing display was the artwork Johanna was most excited to experience in the new area.

Johanna: "The moment I entered this space, I was surrounded by a stunning starry sky—something you rarely see in the city. It was truly beautiful!"

Johanna: "When I jumped with full force, I went much higher than expected—it’s such a thrilling sensation you don’t get in everyday life! Even adults will find this exciting. The idea is to move forward in sync with the rhythm of the stars, but on my first try, I focused on jumping as high as possible and ended up ahead of the glowing stars beneath me. While jumping is a lot of fun, I think the real charm of this artwork comes from progressing at a steady pace. Keeping that in mind beforehand might make the experience even more enjoyable!"

Hou: "Growing the stars while jumping actually requires some technique. On my first try, I jumped as high as I could to get a sense of floating in space. On my second try, I aimed for the black hole, focusing on the stars beneath my feet. This is definitely an artwork you’ll want to experience multiple times."

Balance Stepping Stones in the Invisible World

Balance Stepping Stones in the Invisible World represents a microscopic world of microorganisms. As you step onto the stones, they wobble in different ways, triggering sounds, color changes, and even transformations in the surrounding space.

At first glance, the floor appears to be covered in water, making it seem like stepping off the stones could be risky—but don’t worry, it’s all an illusion created by projections.

Hou: "The difficulty changes depending on the shape and size of the stepping stones, adding an exciting, almost thrilling challenge as you try not to 'fall into the water.' It was such a fun experience!"

Graffiti Nature

Graffiti Nature is an interactive artwork where creatures drawn on paper are projected into the space and begin to move. As they interact with other creatures, they multiply, disappear, or evolve, mimicking the real-world dynamics of an ecosystem. This experience perfectly showcases the essence of teamLab’s technology, bringing art and science together in an immersive way.

Johanna and Hou also released their own drawings into the Graffiti Nature space. Visitors can choose from a selection of pre-drawn templates, including lizards, flowers, and salamanders, and color them in like a coloring book. This simple and engaging process makes it easy for anyone to participate and bring their creations to life.

Johanna chose a lizard, while Hou selected a flower, quickly finishing their drawings in about five minutes. After scanning their creations with a special machine, they watched as their artwork came to life in the digital space.

Johanna: "It was an incredible feeling to see something I drew become part of this vast installation! There’s so much to see and do at teamLab Planets, but this is such a unique experience that I highly recommend making time for it!"

Hou: "Letting your drawings come to life in the space is a popular experience across various teamLab exhibits, but I never get tired of it. Each creature behaves differently and interacts with others in unique ways, making it fun to watch how your creation blends into the environment. This time, I chose a flower for the first time, and seeing the space bloom with so many flowers was truly moving."

Sliding through the Fruit Field

Sliding through the Fruit Field features the mesmerizing Waterfall of Light Particles at the Top of an Incline, where countless colorful particles flow down from above. The installation includes vibrant bars arranged like steps, and when you step on them, the particles scatter and burst, spreading across the space in a dynamic display.

At the top of these steps, visitors will find the slide of Sliding through the Fruit Field. As you glide down, you interact with the projected balls—each type triggering a different reaction, such as making flowers bloom or pollinating them into fruit, creating a dynamic and ever-changing landscape.

Hou: "The slide is short, but much faster than I expected! It feels like a mini attraction, and the visual changes after sliding down were really beautiful."

Johanna: "Hou is right—it was surprisingly fast! You might not even notice how the artwork changes as you slide. I recommend having a friend take photos or videos so you can check out the transformations later!"

Catching and Collecting Forest is an interactive project based on the concept of "Catch, Collect, and Research." Visitors can explore the Extinct Forest, observe various animals, and use a smartphone app to catch and collect them, making for an engaging and educational experience.

Inside the space, visitors can use the app’s camera to capture images of the animals that appear. By swiping on the screen, they release a Research Eye toward their target. If the eye-shaped arrow hits an animal, it gets collected into their smartphone, where they can view its name, origin, and unique characteristics, making the experience both interactive and educational.

There is also a Research Net, which allows visitors to place a virtual net in any location. Any animals that get caught in the net are added to their smartphone collection, gradually building a personalized digital field guide.

The animals move as if they were truly alive in the wild, making their realism astonishing. Every creature that appears is extinct in the real world, creating encounters and discoveries that would otherwise be impossible. This fusion of art and technology allows visitors to learn in a way that only digital art can offer.

Around 80 species of land and sea animals appear in the experience. Each time a visitor catches the same animal—whether it's their second or third time—more detailed information about the species is gradually unlocked on their smartphone, deepening the learning experience.

The two were completely absorbed in collecting animals, forgetting about time.

Hou: "Seeing so many different animals appear was exciting, and the ability to collect them like a game made it really engaging! I also enjoyed learning about species I had never heard of before—it was both fun and educational. Watching the animals move gracefully through forests, rivers, and the sea was beautiful. At the same time, the more I learned about these extinct species, the more I felt a sense of sadness and loss knowing they no longer exist. This artwork was truly moving."

Johanna: "I spent a lot of time in the other areas, so I couldn’t catch as many creatures here. But since the data of the animals I caught stays in the app, I’m looking forward to coming back and catching the ones I missed next time!"

Existence in the Flow Creates Vortices

Another artwork within Athletics Forest is Existence in the Flow Creates Vortices. As visitors move against the flow, various vortices emerge, dynamically shifting and transforming in response to their movements.

As the flow of water collides with your body, it shifts direction, creating an experience that feels like immersing yourself in a real waterfall. The ever-changing movement of the currents makes for a truly mesmerizing and dreamlike scene.

Johanna: "This will definitely become a popular photo spot! You might have to wait in line a bit, but it's absolutely worth it—you're sure to get some amazing shots, so don’t miss it!"

Based on the concept of "co-creation," Future Park invites visitors to freely create and shape a world together. This collaborative playground emphasizes the joy of building a shared space with others.

A Musical Wall where Little People Live

The wall displays a tiny world where little people live. When visitors stamp objects like mushrooms or sticks onto the wall, these elements appear in the scene, prompting the tiny inhabitants to jump, climb, and interact with them in new and unexpected ways.

The stamps you place shape and transform the little people's world, creating a constantly evolving landscape. This interactive experience is enjoyable for both children and adults alike.

A Table where Little People Live

This installation features a table where tiny inhabitants live. By placing hands or objects on the surface, visitors can trigger various interactions, such as food appearing or the little people changing their movements in response.

Johanna: "When I placed a wooden frying pan on the table, a fried egg appeared in the center. Then, when I lifted the pan, the little people came rushing over to eat it. This artwork is so interactive and fun! The staff member who guided us mentioned that their child played in this area for an hour and a half. While adults might be satisfied in 10 to 15 minutes, for families with young children, this could easily become the main attraction! (laughs)"

A Window to the Universe where Little People Live

When you draw on this wall with a light pen, the tiny inhabitants react to the shapes, changing their movements accordingly. The effect varies depending on the pen’s color, and by combining different colors, visitors can create an ever-evolving, imaginative world beyond expectations.

Hou: "The three areas featuring the little people are perfect for expanding a child’s world and sparking their curiosity. I highly recommend experiencing this whimsical space and seeing how you can influence and transform their world!"

Sketch Umwelt World

Sketch Umwelt World is an interactive project where your drawings come to life in a three-dimensional space, expanding into the world before your eyes. When you touch the animals flying or swimming around, they react by darting away or moving energetically through the environment.

Just like Graffiti Nature, this project offers coloring sheets for various animals like butterflies and dolphins, as well as airplanes. Through the app, you can control your drawing from its perspective and even speed it up.

The newly introduced Sketch Factory allows visitors to turn their own illustrated creatures into custom souvenirs. You can create and take home items such as can badges, hand towels, T-shirts, tote bags, and paper crafts, making for a unique and personalized keepsake from your experience.

They decided to turn two of their illustrations from Graffiti Nature into custom can badges, creating a unique and personal souvenir of their experience.

Orders are placed directly from a smartphone. Visitors can browse their previously scanned illustrations and select the item they want to create, making the process simple and seamless.

The can badges were completed in just about five minutes! Tote bags and T-shirts take around 20–30 minutes to make. While a single drawing can be used, visitors also have the option to combine multiple illustrations—just like Johanna and Hou did—to create a unique collaborative design.

Hou: "Turning my own drawing into a product makes for such a special keepsake—it’s a truly one-of-a-kind souvenir! After observing and getting attached to my creation, I was thrilled to take it home in this form. It’s a great surprise and a wonderful gift idea, not just for yourself but also for friends. For children, I especially recommend the paper craft option, as they can enjoy assembling it at home, adding an extra layer of fun to the experience."

What did you think of the exciting new additions to teamLab Planets? If you’re feeling inspired to visit, here are some key tips we learned from firsthand experience to help you make the most of the new area!

As the name suggests, Athletics Forest is a highly active area where you’ll be jumping, sliding, and moving your entire body. Pants are recommended over skirts or dresses, and wearing shoes that are easy to take on and off will make the experience smoother. For the best experience, opt for comfortable, flexible clothing and athletic shoes, and keep your belongings light.

If you happen to arrive in heels or shoes that aren’t ideal for movement—no worries! teamLab Planets offers free rental shoes.

"I decided to try the rental shoes this time, and they had a great fit! They were really comfortable and made it much easier to move around," says Hou.

There are also free lockers available, allowing you to store not just your personal belongings but even larger suitcases and strollers. This makes it easy to explore the exhibits hands-free and stress-free.

teamLab Planets is full of photogenic, picture-perfect moments, so keeping your smartphone charged is essential for capturing stunning photos and videos.

With the new Athletics Forest area, interactive experiences like Catching and Collecting Extinct Forest and Sketch Ecosystem require smartphone apps to fully enjoy. To avoid running out of battery at a crucial moment, make sure your phone is fully charged before your visit—and bring a backup battery just in case!

Along with the opening of the new area, some outdoor facilities have been renewed as well. One highlight is the exclusive dining experience available only to teamLab Planets visitors, offering unique gourmet options to enjoy after exploring the exhibits.

At Vegan Ramen UZU Tokyo, visitors can enjoy exclusive plant-based dishes, including vegan ramen, vegan ice cream, and vegan muffins, along with specialty drinks only available at this location. The menu blends Japanese flavors with a health-conscious approach, making it a great option for all visitors.

Johanna: "Most ramen I eat at restaurants in Japan tends to be quite greasy, and I often can’t finish the whole bowl. But this vegan ramen was light, with just the right amount of flavor, so I enjoyed every bite! The large tomato topping was unbelievably delicious. (laughs)"

For a complete guide to teamLab Planets, including the newly opened areas and existing exhibits, check out our full in-depth article below.

Johanna: "I love museums where you can move and interact rather than just looking at art, so I’ve always enjoyed teamLab’s exhibits. This new area was amazing—it felt like an athletic playground where you can climb, slide, and jump to your heart’s content! Since it's fun for all ages and doesn’t require language skills, I’ll definitely recommend it to any friends visiting Japan!"

Hou: "With cutting-edge projection mapping and sound technology, this space fully engages the senses and creates an incredibly immersive experience. Time flew by unexpectedly fast, so I’d recommend planning for a longer visit! I especially loved how the new area lets you build a digital animal encyclopedia through the app—it’s such a fresh and creative concept. Plus, being able to turn your own drawings into souvenirs makes for a great keepsake. And since everything is indoors, visitors don’t have to worry about the weather, heat, or cold. It was great to have such an active experience while staying indoors!"

With convenient amenities like a shuttle bus from Ginza, lockers for large suitcases and strollers, and multilingual support, teamLab Planets ensures a seamless and stress-free experience for international visitors.

Whether it’s your first visit or you’ve been before, the upgraded teamLab Planets offers a fresh and immersive experience every time. No matter when you go, you’ll encounter unique, ever-changing moments that make your trip to Tokyo—and Japan—even more unforgettable!