Officially known as “Mori Building Digital Art Museum: teamLab Borderless,” this attraction is far more that most typical art museum you would visit. Lights, sounds, and interactable features found within will not only entertain but provide experiences that will take guests to places otherworldly.
General Information
Mori Building is a company dedicated to sustainable urban development through innovation and unique conceptual designs in order to provide areas for businesses, education, entertainment, and even residential spaces. The art collective known as teamLab is a large gathering of various specialists from artists and computer animators to architects and engineers. This collective of professionals has collaborated in order to create works of art and technology beyond that of traditional works. Together, Mori Building and teamLab have thus designed this 10,000-square meter (107,600-square foot) space in order to create an innovative urban space that connects art, technology, nature, and humanity in a Borderless World.
Describing what teamLab Borderless is specifically can be a bit difficult. The whole museum itself is more of an experience than just a presentation of art. This location is divided into separate areas that feature various lifelike presentations of light, sounds, and art.
Digital flowing interactive waterfalls & wildlife, fields of virtual sunflowers, realistic rivers where you can walk with the fireflies through the lily pads are just the beginning of the experience.
Beyond these visual marvels, teamLab Borderless has also created what they call “Athletic” spaces for guest, especially for children, who want to climb or run around having fun. This area includes an interactive star-filled room with bouncing floor, a room full of giant helium balloons that change color with a touch, or even a sort of tree-like forest that can be climbed to name a few. The enjoyment here will most likely be found in children and adults alike.
Admission to MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM: teamLab Borderless is by age: 1000-yen (ages 4-14), 3200-yen (ages 15+), and guests with disabilities admission is 1600-yen. There is also a Night Pass available on weekends and holidays allowing access only for the last 3-hours of operation at a discount for adults and those with disabilities: 2900-yen (ages 15+), and guests with disabilities admission is 1500-yen. Guests with disabilities may need a disability certificate to receive the discount pricing.
Opening hours are 10:00 to 19:00 during weekdays, and 10:00 to 21:00 for weekends and holidays (last entry 1-hour before close), however hours may vary depending on season, so it’s recommended to check ahead.
Getting There
teamLab Boarderless is a short walk from Aomi Station on the Yurikamome Monorail Line. The station is accessible.
Accessibility
Discount tickets for guests with disabilities are half price (1600-yen) and may also apply for one accompanying caregiver/helper. Guests with disabilities may need a disability certificate to receive the discount pricing.
After buying a ticket, guests with disabilities can get a tablet from the reception desk with accessibility maps of the facility. The maps are color-coded to show which areas are accessible and are divided by type of disability (mobility, visual, etc). Explanations for inaccessibility are also given for each room. Guests in wheelchairs are often brought to the front of the entrance line.
Some areas, such as the Forest of Lamps, are not be accessible to those in wheelchairs or other mobility devices as it is located up a flight of stairs. Other areas are not accessible due to the materials used (ie floors made from plush gym mats) or the nature of the exhibit (ie a climbing mountain or jungle gym). Additionally, some guests in wheelchairs may occasionally be asked to wait, as the number of wheelchair users admitted at one time is limited due to safety concerns. Some areas may include dark areas with uneven ground, so move cautiously.
An elevator is available to move between floors. It is located in a staff-only area, so asking for assistance is required.
While most of the rooms are accessible on the first floor, the second floor has an emphasis on children and exercise and most areas are not wheelchair accessible. However, the very popular tearoom is accessible. The entrance is not easily accessible, so staff will lead wheelchair users to the more accessible exit.
Caution to those that may have issues with flashing lights or loud noises as both are present.
Service dogs (seeing-eye dogs, assistance dogs, and hearing dogs) are not allowed in the building. The teamLab Borderless company explains that this restriction is due to the nature of the facility being “different from the normal environment.”
Rest areas with seating and wheelchair accessible toilets are available on both floors.
Conclusion
The whimsical art and technological features make this location unique in what it has to offer. So, if you want a museum that is more than a museum, to see art that is more than art, then teamLab Borderless will most likely be a must-see. However, bear in mind that not all areas are accessible to everyone.
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