The very first TeamLab Islands opened in Lalaport Fujimi, Saitama in 2015. And unfortunately it closed permanently on January 17th 2021.
TeamLab Islands
Team Lab has made quite a name for itself in the last couple of years (2019). However, when they opened their first permanent shop in Lalaport Fujimi in 2015 it was virtually unheard of (pun intended). Team Lab Islands is a unique indoor play area that combines technology, projection mapping and art to engage children in creativity. Several of the interactive exhibition projection mapping play areas are based on the natural world and landscape.
teamLab (f. 2001) is an art collective, interdisciplinary group of ultratechnologists whose collaborative practice seeks to navigate the confluence of art, science, technology, design and the natural world. Various specialists such as artists, programmers, engineers, CG animators, mathematicians and architects form teamLab.
Source: Official Website
TeamLab Sketch Aquarium
Little Miss 2 year old (2015) chases the turtle she coloured, in an aquarium of children’s art. This is a sketch aquarium where children colour pictures of sea life that are then scanned and projected onto a wall display. It is a virtual sea where the fish the kids coloured in can swim. Just one of the unique activities in the Fujimi Lalaport branch of Team Lab Islands, which has paved the way for new age children’s fun centers.
Hopscotch for Geniuses
My then 2 year olds (2015) favourite was the virtual stepping stone path you create yourself on a touch screen panel. They call the attraction “Create! Hopscotch for Geniuses”. You can choose which shapes and colours to make your stepping stones. When you are finished creating your stepping stones it is projected onto a simulated river and the kids have great fun walking on their own creations.
Illumination Ball Orchestra
The most physical activity is the Illuminated Ball Orchestra, where kids push along large balls that change colour and make music.
Sliding through the fruit field
Sliding through the fruit field is an attraction that was added a couple of years after Team Lab Islands opened. There is a rope net to climb up to the top of the slide. As you slide down music plays and the images change.
Other
Other activities include tabletop touch screen panels where kids can make their own railroads. Another wall simulates various images according to movement. You can touch images to make them move or grow in size. When we were last there it was animals. They have two “little people” attractions, where you can influence the direction and activity of projected little people.
There isn’t a huge selection, but what they have really engages the children and time flies by for them if you just do a half hour plan. Personally, I don’t think the day plan is necessary. While the half hour flies by for them, it is just the right amount of time. More information and images available on their website.
TeamLab Lalaport Information
CLOSED PERMANENTLY ON JANUARY 17TH 2021
Teamlab islands URL: Official website
Phone: 049-257-5662
Opening hours Teamlab Lalaport: 10am to 6pm, last entry 5.30pm
Cost: Children under 2 are free. 30 minute 500 yen. “Free pass” which can be used all day, you can come and go, 1200 yen. Please see the website for up-to-date information.
Parking: Lalaport parking for 4600 carspaces. FREE. Parking lots 6 and 7 third floor are close.
For information in English about the Team Lab products (not all of the products on this website are at Fujimi):
Products on the official website
New in 2020
Saitama is getting another “first” Teamlab in 2020. The first permanent outdoor Teamlab installation “Acorn Forest” is opening at Tokorozawa Sakura town (in the Kadcal park) on August 1st.
I love Japan for making children learn in really cool ways. Many indoor play areas, the aquarium, and the zoo here in Osaka demonstrate really creative ideas in teaching children difficult concepts. The technology, props, and other things they use make these places interesting for children of all ages (and even their parents!) 🙂
Very true. Another great example is the railway museum here in Saitama. It has so many interesting and educational activities and displays that really engage and challenge the children. I hear great things about the aquarium in Osaka, I hope to visit it someday. 🙂
What a delightful idea. 🙂
Where has this post been hiding! I missed this to date. You really do know all the best spots in Saitama m(_ _)m
Unfortunately the downside of having over 700 posts on the blog (400 and odd in blog side, 300 in events)… it’s hard to make a large percentage of the content visible.