The renowned digital art collective TeamLab is set to open its largest facility in Japan this October, marking a significant milestone for interactive art experiences in the ancient capital of Kyoto. TeamLab Biovortex Kyoto will officially open its doors on October 7, located just a seven to eight-minute walk from Kyoto Station's Hachijo Exit, making it easily accessible for travelers arriving by Shinkansen bullet train.
Spanning an impressive 10,000 square meters across five floors, the new permanent museum will house more than 50 digital artworks designed to create what TeamLab calls a "living art space." The facility represents the art collective's continued expansion beyond Japan, as TeamLab currently operates venues in Shanghai, Macau, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia, earning international acclaim for their innovative approach to digital art.
The success of TeamLab's existing facilities demonstrates the strong appeal of their interactive installations. In fiscal 2023, TeamLab Planets Tokyo attracted more than 2.5 million visitors and was recognized by Guinness World Records as the most visited museum by a single art group. Remarkably, nearly 70% of those visitors came from overseas, indicating the strong international draw that the new Kyoto location is expected to replicate as inbound tourism continues to surge.
During a media preview, seven artworks were unveiled, with the highlight being the "Massless Amorphous Sculpture," making its Japanese debut after previous international exhibitions. This installation features a monumental bubble-like form that drifts in midair, constantly shifting and responding to visitor movements and surrounding environmental conditions. The artwork embodies TeamLab's philosophy that their pieces "do not exist independently but are created by the environment which produces the various phenomena that cause the artworks to exist."
Other featured installations showcase TeamLab's signature style of blending technology with artistic expression. "Morphing Continuum" presents a fluid structure that continuously transforms across time and space, while "The Eternal Universe of Words" creates an infinite expanse where calligraphy and sound resonate together. "The Way of Birds" offers a mystical depiction of thousands of birds in flight, and the "Forest of Resonating Lamps," themed around seasons and fire, shifts colors in direct response to human movement throughout the space.
The new museum forms part of the larger Kyoto Station Southeast Area Project, which aims to transform the surrounding district into a cultural hub. Adjacent facilities will include an interactive art center, while a production studio led by contemporary artist Takashi Murakami's collective Kaikai Kiki is planned to open along the nearby Kamo River toward JR Tofukuji Station.
Kyoto Mayor Koji Matsui expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating that "the establishment in Kyoto of a permanent TeamLab facility, which has created innovative and inspiring experiences both in Japan and abroad, is of great significance. It will be one more reason to visit the ancient capital." His comments reflect the city's strategy to blend its historical heritage with cutting-edge contemporary art attractions.
The museum will operate daily from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with advance reservations required for specific dates and times. Entry will be permitted until 7:30 PM each day. Ticket prices vary depending on the date and time, ranging from 3,600 to 4,400 yen for visitors 18 and older, 2,800 yen for junior and senior high school students, and 1,800 yen for children ages 4 to 12. With ticket sales already underway and strong international interest expected, TeamLab Biovortex Kyoto is positioned to become a major cultural destination that bridges traditional Kyoto with the future of digital art experiences.
