Discover the immersive world of teamLab Borderless at Azabudai Hills, where art, technology, and nature converge to create a mesmerizing experience like no other.
Amidst Tokyo’s ever-expanding cityscape lies its latest creation, Azubudai Hills, a modern urban village. The stunning complex is built around the theme of “Green & Wellness,” combining some of the city’s finest facilities, shopping, and entertainment with nature and art. At its heart is Japan’s newest and tallest building, Mori JP Tower, which stands at an impressive 325.5 meters.
That’s not all—the complex also features the latest teamLab Borderless, an updated and improved version of its original counterpart, which opened in Odaiba in 2018. This is a different exhibition from teamLab Planets in Toyosu, which is still available to visit.
In this guide, I’ll take you through this one-of-a-kind, transformative art experience while also showing you what else you can do around the urban village to keep yourself entertained throughout the day.
Table of Contents
How to Get to Azabudai Hills
The northeast corner of Azabudai Hills is connected to Kamiyacho Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line. Take exit 1, and it’s just a minute’s walk to the main North entrance of Azabudai Hills.
The complex is divided into several buildings: Garden Plaza A-D, Mori JP Tower, Residence A, and Residence B. A series of aesthetically designed pathways and underground passages connect the buildings, so take your time exploring the area.
Retail shops occupy the first few floors of each building, while the upper floors are occupied by offices and residences, most notably Aman Residences and Janu Tokyo.
The inspiring complex was designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects and developed by Mori Building Company, which also developed Roppongi Hills and Toranomon Hills, among others. If you’ve visited Roppongi Hills, you might notice some similarities as you walk around the area.
TeamLab Borderless
To visit TeamLab, I highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance on their website. Ticket prices range from 4,000 to 5,000 yen per adult, depending on the day. For children aged 13-17, tickets are 2,800 yen, and for children aged 4-12, they are 1,500 yen (prices as of 2024).
For disabled visitors, teamLab Borderless is accessible, though some areas may not be. You can stop by the counter at the entrance to pick up your disabled pass and information on accessible areas. Tickets cost 2,400 yen per adult.
What sets teamLab Borderless apart from teamLab Planets in Toyosu is its emphasis on creating a boundaryless world of art, heavily relying on sight, smell, and sound. In contrast, teamLab Planets is more physical, with terrains ranging from beanbags to water.
Now, on to the exhibition! I won’t cover every single room, but the major attractions are definitely worth mentioning. If you’re carrying large bags or items you don’t want to bring inside, lockers are available at the entrance.
As you descend into the exhibition, you’re greeted by a hallway lined with projection-mapped flowers and a subtle flowery fragrance lingering in the air. From this point, there is no set route through the exhibition. The use of projection mapping and fragrances heightens your senses and sparks a sense of exploration. The entire exhibition is dimly lit, so explore slowly and be mindful of other visitors.
Universe of Water Particles on a Rock where People Gather
The first major room, and one of the most famous, is called ‘Universe of Water Particles on a Rock where People Gather.’
The ‘water’ flowing along the ground adjusts to where people are standing, eventually culminating at the waterfall at the back. The room continuously transforms as people come and go.
Infinite Crystal Universe
Next is a teamLab favorite: the ‘Infinite Crystal Universe.’ This room, also featured in teamLab Planets, showcases thousands of hanging LED lights that sparkle and light up in various colors and formations.
Visitors can use the teamLab app to influence the displays, which continuously evolve based on the presence of people in the space. The use of mirrors creates an infinite world where you can marvel at and get lost in its beauty.
Megalith Crystal Formation
The ‘Megalith Crystal Formation’ room features large, cube-like masses that reconstruct spatial calligraphy in both three-dimensional and two-dimensional spaces to express the depth, speed, and power of brush strokes. This room is dark and has many sharp edges, so be careful while exploring!
A new addition to teamLab Borderless is “Microcosmoses – Wobbling Light,” which hosts a series of ramps with mirrored balls that shimmer and reflect in the dazzling LED lights.
EN TEA HOUSE
Head to ‘EN TEA HOUSE’ for a light drink and dessert. You can choose from various cold brew teas and gelato. I decided on the Frozen Yuzu Matcha and Cold Brew Yuzu Green Tea for 1,300 yen, both of which were light, refreshing, and tasty. The seating area is dimly lit, with Enso (the Zen practice of drawing a circle with a single brushstroke) projected onto the walls. As your drink and gelato arrive, you’ll notice a flower and tree blossoming inside the teacup and bowl. The branches and flowers will wither and grow as you drink and eat.
Future Park
After refueling, it’s time to get creative! Head to ‘Future Park,’ where you can draw your own creature in the sketch factory. Your creation will be projected onto the surrounding ocean walls. For an additional fee, you can even have your creation printed on a badge, t-shirt, or tote bag!
Bubble Universe
Next are the two most impressive rooms at teamLab Borderless. First is ‘Bubble Universe,’ which features countless hanging spheres of light that reflect off one another. The concept is that ‘there is no glass or other material on the surface of the sphere of light; the sphere is made only of light.
In the physical world, light does not solidify, nor does it become a spherical mass. So, does the sphere of light really exist? The bubbles of light exist as you perceive them, and therefore, they do exist.
Light Sculpture
Finally, my favorite room in the teamLab Borderless exhibition is the ‘Light Sculpture.’ This long corridor features hundreds of lights that move and form various patterns.
Throughout the day, various light shows change color and design, accompanied by a unique soundtrack. I, along with many others around me, spent nearly 30 minutes just standing there, mesmerized by the lights.
As I mentioned, you’ll spend hours exploring many more rooms, hallways, and corridors. Each is designed with unique patterns, animals, and creatures to keep you entertained. I recommend setting aside at least 2 hours to wander and discover everything the exhibition has to offer.
What Else to Do in Azabudai Hills
Enjoy Gourmet Food
After marveling at teamLab’s magical creations, you’ll be ready for some food. In Azubudai Hills, you will be spoiled for choice. Around every corner, you’ll find a fashionable café, restaurant, or bar, each offering unique and delicious options. From Michelin-star fine dining at Florilege to Japanese classics like sushi and tempura, there is something for everyone.
For a quintessential Japanese meal, look no further than Tonkatsu Kawamura. Here, you can choose from various cuts of pork, all deep-fried in panko breadcrumbs and served alongside shredded cabbage, tonjiru (pork miso soup), and rice.
You can also visit Azabudai Hills Market, which has 34 specialty stores offering some of the finest foods and ingredients. From the freshest fish to deep-fried treats, the market is truly a food lover’s paradise.
Shopping
Azabudai Hills is also a top destination for shopping. There, you can find luxury brands such as Cartier and Hermès, as well as smaller shops selling fragrances, kitchenware, and tea.
The first four floors of Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower are dedicated to retail with a department-store atmosphere. Here, you can find all the fashionable goods you would ever need.
Galleries
For manga fans, visit the Manga Art Heritage Gallery, located on the basement floor of Garden Plaza A. Operated by the publishing company Shueisha, the gallery carries artwork from popular titles like ONE PIECE, some of which are available for purchase.
Just a few floors up is the Azabudai Hills Gallery, which showcases selected artists from around the world. The exhibits change every few months, so you can find more details on their website. At the time of my visit, the exhibition was ‘Calder: Un effet du Japonais,’ the first solo show by Alexander Calder in Tokyo in about 35 years. Only phone cameras are allowed, as larger cameras are prohibited.
Sky Lobby
Being home to the tallest building in Tokyo and all of Japan, Azabudai Hills offers one of the best views of Tokyo’s sprawling cityscape. While there are plenty of observation decks throughout the city, what makes the Sky Lobby view unique is its close proximity to Tokyo Tower.
It can be confusing to find your way to the Sky Lobby entrance. First, head to Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower and follow the signs to the elevator entrance. In a matter of seconds, you’ll arrive on the 33rd floor at the entrance to a small café.
Please note that anyone wishing to visit the Sky Lobby will be charged a 500 yen entrance fee and must order one drink from the café. After getting your drink, you can relax at one of the many tables, on the wooden stairs, or at the tables on the lower floor, where the main views of the city are.
The undisturbed views of the iconic tower mean you can take in Tokyo to its fullest. Below, you can spot people going about their daily lives, playing soccer on the neighboring pitch, and relaxing in Shiba Park. With the equally iconic Rainbow Bridge in the background, the Sky Lounge view is definitely worth a visit.
Green Space
Between the myriad of buildings, pockets of greenery are home to around 320 species of plants, which blossom throughout the year. The central hub, located just in front of Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower, is carpeted with lush lawns where you can relax and enjoy both nature and the architecture. This central hub is a key element of the overall design, helping to connect visitors and workers with nature.
You can hear the trickle of water from the surrounding waterways while enjoying indigenous trees, aquatic plants, and various artistic sculptures.
The ‘Cloud’ canopy, located just in front of Mori JP Tower, is another fantastical design element that symbolizes ‘the flowing energy of the events and activities that will be hosted in the Azabudai Hills Arena.’ All of this contributes to creating a vibrant and exciting complex that paves the way for Tokyo’s future.
The digital art museum never fails to impress and should be on your must-visit list. So grab your tickets and enjoy a fun day out!
