Curious doors, eccentric characters, and wonderfully strange landscapes are coming to Tokyo this winter as Tim Burton’s Labyrinth makes its Japanese debut. The immersive exhibition invites visitors to wander through a maze inspired by the filmmaker’s distinctive imagination, with each turn offering the chance to discover another fantastical scene.
Opening November 25 at CREVIA BASE Tokyo in Toyosu, the exhibition draws on the worlds of films such as Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Visitors choose which doors to open as they move through the labyrinth, making the journey feel like an adventure rather than a conventional gallery visit.
Alongside the immersive sets, the exhibition will display more than 150 original sketches by Burton, including works being shown in Japan for the first time. These drawings offer a closer look at the ideas and visual details behind the characters and unusual worlds that have become hallmarks of his filmmaking.
The exhibition first opened in Madrid in 2022 and has since traveled to eight cities across six countries, attracting more than one million visitors. Its Tokyo run marks its first appearance in Japan and its Asian debut.
For travelers who enjoy film, illustration, costume design, or unusual photo opportunities, the exhibition offers a different kind of cultural outing from Tokyo’s more traditional museums. Burton’s work draws on gothic imagery, fairy tales, and dark humor, creating a visual world that is recognizable even to visitors who haven't seen every film.
