Swimming With The Neon Fish
Come on, even you exquisitely jaded experience junkies want to do this, admit it!
I’ve been to TeamLab’s “Planets” exhibition before, but this week I jumped into the newest version and it did not disappoint. The offerings were generally the same, but they’ve been freshened up so that the experience was just as much fun the second time around.
Here’s what it felt like to be wading around among the fish & flowers:
And before you move on to the next part of the attraction, don’t miss the small side room featuring this lovely piece of slowly spinning, morphing art, staged with utmost simplicity above a serene reflecting pool.
I have to warn you that the only disappointing part of “Planets” remains the first room you come to, which is an inexplicably treacherous memory foam hell that must be crossed as quickly as humanly possible on the way to the divine crystal LED maze. Fortunately, the maze is so dazzling, it almost makes you forget that you had to flail through brown pleather quicksand to get there.
Here’s a taste of what it feels like to be in the crystal maze:
The last part of the attraction is unchanged, but still meditatively entertaining.
Note: Enjoying this exhibition is a little challenging, because you have to experience it barefoot. Before you go in, you have to put shoes & socks and all your belongings in a (free) locker for the duration. You’ll get wet up to your knees (even if you’re an adult) so wear pants/skirt that can be rolled/hitched up and not drag in the water. They do rent shorts for the unprepared and there are changing rooms, but it’s easier if you just wear clothes that work. All visitors are loaned clear cellphone cases with neck lanyards so you don’t drop your phone in the water while taking pix.
Also, if you’re like me, and are deathly suspicious of vast pools of warm water that have been waded in by god knows how many unwashed members of the general public, don’t be. It’s Japan! The water in the fish & flowers room is not only comfortably warm, it’s absolutely, spectacularly clean, and devoid of the nasty hairballs and dead bandaids that always seem to plague American water parks.
Admission: Adults: ¥3,200; Ages 13-17: ¥2,400; Ages 4-12: ¥800; Ages 65+: ¥2,400; Disability discount: ¥1,600
Exhibition dates: July 7, 2018 – December 31, 2018 (It has been extended at least until the end of the year. Check website for details.)
Hours: Weekdays: 10:00 – 23:00 (last entrance at 22:00); Sundays, Saturdays, and National Holidays: 9:00 – 23:00 (last entrance at 22:00)
It’s right next to the Shin-Toyosu Yurikamome monorail station at: Toyosu 6-1-16, Koto-ku, Tokyo
More info and advance tickets can be had on the Teamlab “Planets” website
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The Last Tea Bowl Thief was chosen as an Editor’s Pick for Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense on Amazon
“A fascinating mix of history and mystery.” —Booklist
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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly newsletter Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had
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Jonelle Patrick View All
Writing mystery books set in Tokyo is mostly what I do, but I also blog about the odd stuff I see every day in Japan. I'm a graduate of Stanford University and the Sendagaya Japanese Institute in Tokyo, and a member of the International Thriller Writers, the Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters In Crime. When I'm not in Tokyo, I live in San Francisco. I also host a travel site called The Tokyo Guide I Wish I'd Had, so if you're headed to Japan and want to check out the places I take my friends when they're in town, take a look!
Jonelle Patrick's Only In Japan 
Oh great! I loved this exhibition and the star selecting and fish swimming experience seem to enhance it even more. We had it in Paris too though not everything as I heard and only as a temporary exhibition. I’d love to go again
I saw online that they brought the road show to Paris, and I was so envious! I love this group’s stuff – they really have the tech parts nailed, and their artists have pretty awesome ideas to go with it. This weekend I’m heading over to their permanent exhibition that just opened in Tokyo – will report! ^^;;
Wow, Jonelle, looks amazing. Any new books coming?
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Sent from my iPhone
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Don’t worry – the book process is proceeding, even as I wade around enjoying myself. It’s in the hands of a couple of critical readers, who are winkling out inconsistencies & such and will tell me as soon as they’re done, so I can fix them before sending it off to my agent. Thanks for asking, sweet friend!
Missed it first time around but went a few months ago. Reserved online a couple of days before for first entry of the day so basically got straight in. It’s a little expensive compared with “Borderless” – you can do the whole thing in less than a hour and you’re only supposed to visit each room once. I loved the “memory foam hell” 🙂 Overall, best thing I’ve done in Tokyo since the Robot Restaurant. Couldn’t take the smile off my face the whole way round and for hours after. Not suitable for small children due to the water.
See, this is why it’s good that I’m not the boss of the whole world, because I would have deprived you of memory foam hell, I mean heaven! Totally agree with you on Planets vs. Borderless – I saw Borderless for the first time this morning, and it was astoundingly, jaw-droppingly worth every yen. I thought both were worth the price of admission, but am glad I saw Planets first and Borderless afterwards.