Family Travel Guide: teamLab Planets Tokyo – Immersive Art With Kids
teamLab Planets in Toyosu is one of those rare places that feels like stepping straight into your kids’ imagination. Bare feet on soft floors, knee-deep water, glowing flowers and mirrored infinity rooms – it is sensory, surreal and unforgettable.
This guide walks you through exactly how to do teamLab Planets with kids without overwhelm. You will find ticket tips, what to wear, how to prep sensitive kiddos, easy ways to get there from central Tokyo, and ideas for pairing your visit with nearby Toyosu and Odaiba for a full family day out.
Quick snapshot
- Best for: School-age kids, tweens, teens and art-loving adults.
- Location: Toyosu area of Koto City, a short walk from Shin-Toyosu Station.
- Length of visit: 1.5–3 hours inside the museum, longer if you add Toyosu or Odaiba.
- Vibe: Dark rooms, glowing light, water, mirrors and digital flowers you move through together.
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Quick links
- What teamLab Planets actually is
- Tickets, time slots & best times to go
- How to get there with kids
- What to expect inside (room-by-room vibes)
- Is it okay for toddlers & sensory-sensitive kids?
- What to wear & what to pack
- Pairing teamLab Planets with Toyosu & Odaiba
- Where to stay nearby
- More Tokyo family guides
- How this guide stays free
What is teamLab Planets (and where is it)?
teamLab Planets is an immersive art museum created by the art collective teamLab. Instead of standing in front of paintings, you walk through rooms full of digital light, sound and water. Your body becomes part of the artwork – the art reacts to how you move.
The museum is in Toyosu, a waterside district in Toyosu & Ariake in Koto City. It is close to the new Toyosu Market and just across the water from Odaiba, which makes it easy to fold into a bigger Tokyo Bay day with kids.
Tickets, time slots & the best time to go
Tickets must be reserved in advance. teamLab Planets uses timed entry and often sells out days or weeks ahead during school holidays and weekends. You can buy tickets directly from the official teamLab Planets site or through trusted partners that bundle entry with transport or other attractions, like curated teamLab Planets tours and tickets.
- Morning slots: Good with younger kids and jet-lagged families. It is usually quieter and you can still explore Toyosu or Odaiba afterward.
- Late afternoon/evening: Feels extra magical with night-time lights outside, but can be busier.
- Strollers: Not allowed inside exhibits. You will leave them in a designated area, so plan to baby-wear if you have a little one.
How to get to teamLab Planets with kids
The closest station is Shin-Toyosu on the Yurikamome Line. From the station it is an easy, mostly flat 5–10 minute walk with clear signage to the museum entrance.
- From Shimbashi / Odaiba: Take the Yurikamome elevated line toward Toyosu and hop off at Shin-Toyosu. Kids love the front window seats – it feels like riding a driverless monorail.
- From Tokyo Station / Ginza: Use JR or subway to Shimbashi, then transfer to the Yurikamome line.
- From Shinjuku / Shibuya: Ride JR or subway lines toward Shimbashi or Toyosu, then connect via Yurikamome or Yurakucho Line plus a short walk.
If you are still in the planning stage, it helps to lock in your flights and rough dates first, then choose a base that makes bay-area trips simple. You can scan flights into Tokyo (Haneda or Narita) and then line up a hotel and any short-term car rentals for side trips once your dates are set.
What to expect inside: room-by-room vibes
You will start by removing your shoes and socks and putting small items in a locker. From there, you move in one direction through a set route of installations. The exact line-up can change, but many families experience something like this:
Water walkways & soft slopes
Early on you will walk through shallow water in a dark corridor. The water is warm and staff are on hand, but it can feel intense for very small children. Hold hands and move slowly. Long skirts and pants will get wet here if they hang too low.
Floating flower and light rooms
You will pass through spaces where flowers are projected all around you, and rooms where hanging LED lights feel like endless star fields. Mirrors amplify everything. It is beautiful, but can be disorienting. This is where having a simple meet point (“if we get separated, freeze and I will come to you”) is helpful.
Ball rooms & interactive spaces
Some rooms are more playful, with giant glowing balloons or responsive projections on walls and floors. These usually become kids’ favorite spaces. Let them lead here – the entire point is to see how the art reacts to their movement.
Photo moments
Photography is allowed (without flash), and there are countless places where you will want a quick family snap. To keep everyone present, choose a few “photo rooms” ahead of time, then put the phone away for the rest. If you book a guided experience with a photographer, they can help capture the big moments while you stay hands free.
Is teamLab Planets okay for toddlers & sensory-sensitive kids?
It depends on your child. Some toddlers and neurodivergent kids absolutely love it; others find the dark, echoing rooms and visual noise overwhelming.
- Check the official guidance: The teamLab Planets visitor information page has up-to-date notes on age recommendations, accessibility and what to expect.
- Use ear defenders: If your child is sound-sensitive, bring kid-sized headphones or ear protectors.
- Have an exit plan: Let kids know that if it is too much, you can move quickly through the next rooms and head out.
- Skip strollers: They are not allowed inside, so plan a carrier for little ones who tire easily.
If you are unsure, one adult can always scout ahead and message the rest of the family if it feels like a good fit for that particular kid on that particular day.
What to wear & what to pack
- Shorts or leggings: You will walk through water that can reach above your knees. Avoid long dresses, wide pants or anything that will drag.
- Minimal bags: Lockers hold small items. Bring only what you truly need.
- Quick-dry options: Choose fabrics that dry fast in case kids splash.
- Towels for little ones: A small pack towel can be helpful afterward.
- Backup clothes: Especially for toddlers – just in case they get wetter than planned.
For the rest of your Tokyo days, it helps to have a solid base near a major station so you can change and reset easily. You can browse Tokyo stays with family rooms, laundry and easy rail access, and if you plan to drive out to places like Hakone or the countryside, you can line up a rental car for those days only instead of your whole trip.
Pairing teamLab Planets with Toyosu & Odaiba
Most families will spend 2–3 hours at teamLab Planets. That leaves time to fold it into a bigger day in Tokyo Bay.
Option 1 – Toyosu day
- Morning at teamLab Planets.
- Lunch and playground time at Urban Dock LaLaport Toyosu, which has family-friendly restaurants, shops and a waterfront park.
- Evening stroll along the Toyosu waterfront before heading back to your base.
Option 2 – Odaiba combo
- Start with a timed entry at teamLab Planets.
- Ride the Yurikamome line to Odaiba for decks, malls and views over Rainbow Bridge.
- Add one or two kid magnets like indoor play zones or observation decks, then finish with dinner and night views.
- You can book simple Tokyo Bay cruises to finish the day on the water.
Option 3 – Low-key evening
- Spend the day exploring central Tokyo (Ueno, Asakusa, Shibuya or Shinjuku).
- Head to Toyosu for an evening entry at teamLab Planets.
- Grab a calm dinner near your hotel afterward and let everyone decompress.
Where to stay for an easy teamLab Planets visit
You do not have to stay in Toyosu specifically to enjoy teamLab Planets. Instead, choose a base that makes your wider Tokyo plan easy – then add Toyosu as a special outing.
- Tokyo Station / Marunouchi: Great if you are using shinkansen or airport trains. Search for family hotels around Tokyo Station and filter for “family rooms” and “extra beds”.
- Odaiba & Tokyo Bay: Ideal if you want theme-park energy, decks and big views. Check out Odaiba & Tokyo Bay for how to layer in bay views, malls and kid zones.
- Shinjuku, Shibuya or Ueno: Perfect if you like lively neighborhoods and easy trains. Use the map view to make sure you are within a short walk of JR or major subway lines.
I like to book flexible hotel options first and then, once flight times are set via Tokyo flight searches, I re-check the same hotel listings for better room types or prices that match those exact arrival and departure days.
More Stay Here, Do That Tokyo guides
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If you use this guide to plan your visit, come back and drop a comment with what worked (and what you would tweak) for your family. Your real-world notes help the next parents feel more prepared.
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