First Look! The New teamLab Art Museum in Kyoto

We got a sneak peek of the brand-new teamLab Biovortex Kyoto — here’s what’s inside.

The long-awaited opening will only take place on October 7, 2025, but we went to a press-preview event to see what it’s all about. Many of the artworks are still in hiding, but we got a glimpse of five of the most anticipated exhibits. Tickets are already on sale (more on that below).

Why is teamLab Kyoto special?

If you’re wondering how the new Kyoto teamLab differs from teamLab Borderless: Mori Building Digital Art Museum and teamLab Planets Tokyo, here’s why it’s significant: teamLab Biovortex Kyoto will display new and unreleased artworks that cannot be seen anywhere else in Japan. Even more notably, at over 10,000 square meters, this teamLab will be the biggest in all of Japan — making it one worth making the trip for.

It’s not just the scale or the artworks, though: the concept of teamLab Biovortex Kyoto also differs slightly from the others. Its focus is on “transcending conventional notions of material substances”, though this concept has yet to be fully defined. This shift in emphasis means that the way visitors interact with the artwork also differs.

As a teamLab enthusiast myself, I had been eagerly waiting to see what this new teamLab has to offer, and how it will fit into the landscape of the traditional city of Kyoto. Although much was left unknown, the first look was spectacular, and it has definitely left me more wanting more.

Just like the other teamLab art exhibitions, your body will quite tangibly become one with the art — but in new and unexpected ways. You get to interact in 3D with all the unique environments in each installation.

The art at teamLab Kyoto

We previewed five installations in early August — some new, others revived.

Massless Amorphous Sculpture

In my opinion, this installation is like nothing else and offers a new teamLab experience. Designed to be an immense floating sculpture, this sea of bubbles (literally) transcends our concept of mass. It never directly touches the ceiling or the ground but instead, it drifts in the middle.

Interestingly, even if you touch the bubble and break it, it will restore itself back to its original shape. Comparable to an “ocean vortex”, stepping into this mystical, bubble-full world will bring you to another dimension — one where you question the way we interact with particular phenomena and environments.

Note: Those who are allergic to shampoo or certain body soaps are advised to not enter this particular room. As it stands, all visitors will be offered protection, including ponchos and safety goggles, if they feel more comfortable in that gear.

Morphing Continuum

This is another of the new (and highly anticipated) installations at teamLab Kyoto. The Morphing Continuum is a visual feast for the eyes.

Beginning as individual elements — glowing spheres — separated in space and time, the components soon begin to work together, forming a mesmerizing single entity.

Similar to the massless Amorphous Sclupture, even if you touch the structure, it cannot be broken. As the colorful array of spheres circles in mid-air, you’re presented with a display where boundaries dissolve and new forms of existence emerge.

The Way of Birds

In this installation, you can experience the beauty of thousands of bird taking flight. Moving as one giant life form, your body feels as though you are taking flight with them — going through the motions and see flowers blossom as well.

Designed to portray “spatiotemporal existence”, this is one of the artworks where you should lie down and stare at the space around you to get the most of the experience.

Forest of Resonating Lamps: One Stroke — a Year in the Mountains

If you were lucky enough to have visited the original teamLab Borderless in Odaiba during 2018 to 2022, then you may recognize this installation. The Forest of Resonating Lamps, now back at teamLab Biovortex Kyoto, features lamps that change color in response to human interaction. *This exhibition is our editor’s personal favorite.

Although they technically shouldn’t be touched, when a person stands close to a lamp, it will respond — emitting a certain color and sound.

Other installations

As part of the preview, we also saw another installation. With the official name not yet revealed, all we can do for now is describe it. Beautiful blue flowers bloom in front of your eyes, symbolizing the circle of life. As you touch the flowers, they will wither away, with the petals following suit. Ethereal vibes.

Tickets for teamLab Kyoto

Tickets are currently on sale, for October 7, 2025 and onwards. For now, the only place you can get them is from the official teamLab website. The prices are as follows:

• Adults: ¥3,800
• 13-17 year olds: ¥2,800
• 4-12 year olds: ¥1,800
• Visitors with disabilities: 50% off the adult price
• Flexible Pass (admission time not specificed): ¥12,000

How to book tickets

As mentioned, the only place that you can get tickets for teamLab Biovortex Kyoto is on the official website, at the moment.

How much time do you need for teamLab Biovortex Kyoto?

Since we haven’t seen the complete exhibition, it’s hard to tell how much time you’ll need. However, taking into account that this is the biggest teamLab in Japan, it is likely that you’ll need at least 2 to 3 hours.

What to wear to teamLab Kyoto?

It is recommended that you wear soft shoes — something like trainers is perfectly fine. Similar to the other teamLab exhibitions, you should avoid wearing high heels or heavy shoes.

It’s also best to avoid wearing anything too short. And, for the best photos, we recommend wearing light-colored clothes so that you stand out against the installations.

How to get there

teamLab Kyoto is a 8-minute walk from Kyoto Station.

Now you’ve seen teamLab Biovortex Kyoto, check out all the other teamLab digital-art museums across Japan.

teamLab Kyoto FAQs

Which is better: teamLab Kyoto or teamLab Tokyo?

At this point in time, it is hard to tell. But come fall, we should be able to answer this in more detail.

Wait, isn’t Kyoto overcrowded? Will this museum be crazy busy?

Given that this will be the only permanent teamLab exhibition in Kyoto, you’re right in thinking that it will be popular. However, just like the teamLab exhibitions in Tokyo, as long as you plan ahead and get your tickets way in advance, you should be fine.

While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. Some of the details around the artworks may change closer to the grand opening. We will update them as new information becomes available.