TeamLab: Resonating Life in the Acorn Forest

• COVID-19 Info: All visitors are asked to wear masks and use the supplied plastic gloves inside the exhibit. For more updates, check the official website https://www.teamlab.art/e/acornforest/

If you thought the projection mapping art experience of teamLab: Borderless in Odaiba was cool, imagine experiencing it outside in a serene forest. Enter teamLab: Resonating Life in the Acorn Forest, in Saitama’s Higashi Tokorozawa Park.

With a gentle nudge or breeze, each ovoid emits a calming sound that permeates throughout the forest.

Though this one doesn’t focus on immersive projection mapping as Borderless does, the interactive installation is where nature makes art come to life. Egg-shaped, silver pods called ovoids are spread throughout a small section within the park and with a gentle nudge or breeze, each ovoid emits a calming sound that permeates throughout the forest.

The interactive installation only takes up a small portion of the expansive park but it is still very much worth going to. Visiting during the day vs. night will yield a completely different experience.

Night and day

During the day, the eggs that are sprawled throughout the hilly landscape reflect the color of the forest floor and surrounding nature. While loosely following the path, move at your own pace in order to truly immerse yourself within the calm, natural atmosphere. Listen closely to how the melody of the ovoid chimes blends seamlessly into the sounds of nature, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.

To avoid the crowds, go on early weekday afternoons—there’s a high chance you’ll have the exhibit all to yourself.

In the evenings, the forest transforms into a colorful light show. Each tree is individually lit and as the light pulses, it seems as if the forest is coming to life right before your eyes. The ovoids are also set up to emit different lights to match the melody.

Whether you choose to visit during the day or at night, make sure to check out the Tokorozawa Sakura Park located next to it. Owned by the publishing company Kodokawa and Tokorozawa City, this complex houses a modern shrine, cafes, an anime museum, and even an anime hotel.