teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka

● Botanical Garden by Day, A Digital Art Space by Night

Hello! My name is fuji. I am a writer.
Have you been to a botanical garden that is also an art museum? The teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka is one such place.

Located inside Nagai Park, one of Osaka’s largest urban parks, teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka transforms the city-owned Nagai Botanical Garden into an immersive digital art museum at night.

The contrast is intriguing.
What is it like? How does a garden become a space for art?
Let’s check it out♪

●Tickets & How to Get There

I’m at Osaka Metro Midosuji Line’s Nagai Station, the closest station to the teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka!

Stepping out of Exit No. 3 at Nagai Station, you will find the entrance to Nagai Park as well as a sign with the teamLab logo.
The teamLab signage is here to help you navigate the vast Nagai Park, safely leading you to the museum entrance♪
As expected at a popular teamLab’s exhibit, I saw many visitors at the entrance, both locals and international visitors.

You can purchase the same-day tickets on the day of your visit at the ticket office next to the entrance.

The ticket office wasn’t too busy on the day I went but that was probably because it was during the week. On weekends and holidays or the opening day of a special exhibit, a long line is expected, and tickets can sell out quickly. Advance tickets, which can be purchased on the official website, are the sure way to go.

With advance tickets, you can take advantage of the discounts, too♪

＜Ticket Price＞
Advance Tickets
Adult (High School and older): 1,800 yen
Child (Elementary and Jr. High Schools): 500 yen
Discounted Admission for Individuals with Disabilities: 900 yen

Same-day Tickets
Adult (High School and older): 2,000 yen
Child (Elementary and Jr. High Schools): 600 yen
Discounted Admission for Individuals with Disabilities: 1,000 yen

Go to the official ticketing site here

●Nature x Newest Digital Technology

Ready to explore the botanical garden museum?

The Nagai Botanical Garden is about 240,000 square meters in size and home to some 1,200 species of plants. Various species of these trees are used in the art installations, with dreamy, calming sounds in the background☆

Listen carefully also to the natural sounds of the wind and the insects and take in the fragrance of the trees and seasonal flowers around you as you admire the digital artwork because nature is part of the art at this exhibit.

In fact, the best part of teamLab’s Digitaized Nature project is where nature becomes art with the use of advanced digital technology.

　┣Sculptures of Dissipative Birds in the Wind

Among the amazing artworks, the most spectacular piece that perhaps defines the teamLab Botanical Garden, is the Sculptures of Dissipative Birds in the Wind.

Swirling patterns depict the energy of life in this piece and the gradation of red, blue, green, and yellow takes you right into the world of teamLab.

Birds fly around in the wind and the swirls—the energy—keep changing their shapes. It looks as if they are all alive. No movement (shape) is repeated. Every second, it’s unique.

This installation depicts the natural law of the universe, the constant changes in life and the fact that all existence rely on one another.

I reflected on the beauty of our precious life and felt its fragility as I watched the continuous movements of lights. It had a powerful message.

　┣Resonating Microcosms in the Common Camellia Garden

As you step into the Common Camellia Garden, you notice the egg-shaped objets d’art called “ovoid” in the forest.

These ovoids change color—it has 61 different colors—and emit a tone, reflecting the movements of the people around them and the winds that may blow on them. Surrounded by these ovoids glowing in the dark, I thought to myself, this might be what outer space is like.

There are two types of ovoids. Some of the ovoids depict the colors of liquefied light, and others the colors of the solidified light.

Those that depict the colors of liquefied light have foggy, soft translucent colors. It looks as if colorful clouds have solidified.

When you touch an ovoid, its color changes, and this has a rippling effect on the rest of the ovoids as well as other light fixtures in the forest. The way one change in one light spreads through the forest like thousand waves in the sea is a phenomenal sight.

Those ovoids that depict the colors of solidified light emit more flamboyant and metallic—perhaps even galactic—light.

They also change colors in reaction to the people around them and the changes of color get more interesting in them as the number of people increases.

In other words, this artwork becomes more beautiful because of other existence. The message expressed in this work is “the appreciation for the existence of others”.

　┣Forest of Autonomous Resonating Life – Eucalyptus

As you walk towards the Eucalyptus Forest from the Common Camellia Garden, large egg-shaped objets d’art starts to surround you.

Squishy eggs increase in its number as you get deeper into the forest, elegantly integrating with the sound of nature and the refreshing scent of eucalyptus.

Kids love this interactive, bouncy installation where all five senses are used to experience art♪

Here’s a picture of the giant egg-shaped objets d’art with the moon in the backdrop.

I love the balance between the dark shade of trees in the bright moonlight and the silhouette of a person in front of the glowing eggs.

With those giant egg-shaped objets d’art, this area is a good spot for taking great pictures. Use the shadows of the trees and people, and I guarantee you will go home with some unique artistic pictures!

　┣Concrete and Abstract – Secondary Forest Entrance

Secondary Forest Entrance stands in front of you after you leave the giant egg-shaped artworks in the eucalyptus forest. Green lit trees standing tall were welcoming.

You see trees in our daily lives, but how often do you look up to really take a look at them? Here at the Secondary Forest, trees exist much closer to you and present you with an opportunity to examine them closely.

The light on the trees is actually a perfect grid pattern if projected onto a flat surface but becomes three dimensional on the uneven surface of trees. The flickering light on tree trunks and leaves reminds you of glittering water☆彡

The bright lines of light move flexibly as people walk by them. Don’t just walk past it, though. Pause for a moment and take in the brilliance of this artwork expressed in the changes that appear.

　┣Spatial Calligraphy in the Forest – One Stroke, Secondary Forest

Ahead of you now is Spatial Calligraphy in the Forest.

Spatial Calligraphy is a form of “calligraphy drawn in space”. The depth, the speed, and the powerful brush strokes are expressed on a screen with a light that resembles calligraphy.

I took a panoramic photo of the light flowing between the trees. It was dynamic and looked as if it was alive and swimming in the air.

　┣Universe of Fire Particles in the Forest – Secondary Forest

At the end of the Secondary Forest is the Universe of Fire Particles in the Forest blazing in the air. I couldn’t take my eyes off of this installation. It was so real and forceful.

If you’re as impressed as I was and want to take the Universe of Fire Particles home, you can. Download the special app and hold your phone toward the installation, and it will be projected on your phone. What would be a better souvenir than the artwork itself♪

　┣Field of Light Color – Muhlenbergia Capillaris

Take a deep breath in the field of Muhlenbergia Capillaris. It brings you calm and peace.

This is a good place to visit when you’re feeling down. The power of nature can help you heal♪

Muhlenbergia Capillaris belongs to the grass family and has many faces depending on the season and the weather. In autumn, pink puffs at the top of the storks dance in the wind. On a rainy day, raindrops on the leaves sparkle, reflecting the sunlight. It is, truly, nature turned into art.

　┣Floating Resonating Lamps on Oike Lake

Next to the Field of Light, the Floating Resonating Lamps on Oike Lake emits a soft light into the darkness.

The faint orange light depicts fire and looks just like a flickering flame.

The area looks almost like a romantic scene in a fantasy film, a perfect spot for a date.

A picture taken here with family, friends, or a partner would sure be a memorable one.

　┣Pillars that Dance with the Wind

Pillars that Dance with the Wind is a new installation as of August this year.
Gigantic pillars made of light flowing and dancing in reaction to the wind and people, this fantastic installation is full of vibrant life♪

※Due to its delicate nature, this artwork may not be available for viewing in the event of rain or strong wind.

Available in 13 languages, the teamLab App provides in-depth explanations about the installations around the entire exhibit. Simply download it from the official website and take advantage of this handy service♪

●What to Do on A Rainy Day? How Much Time Do I Need?

The teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka is open even in rain!

Except when severe weather warnings—such as Storm Warning, Heavy Rain Emergency Warning, and Thunderstorm Warning—are in effect. In such cases, the hours may shift, or the venue may be closed. The best way to check in advance for updates is via the official website or on social media.

This was my first time visiting the teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka. It was an incredible art experience, one I hadn’t encountered before☆彡

It felt like a quick visit because the time flies when you’re engrossed in something, but given the vast size of the botanical garden, you should plan to spend at least 1 1/2 to 2 hours if you want to enjoy all installations as you stroll around the garden.

A few things to note: As this is an exhibit of light, it’s dark in the garden and, at times, difficult to see the ground. And, depending on the season, you might find insects and bugs in the forests. Recommended are sneakers or walking shoes as well as loose, comfortable clothing that are easy to move around in.

The key is to keep in mind that this is outdoors, and you will be able to thoroughly enjoy the marvelous art!