The Murin-an Garden in Kyoto, Japan is recognized as a representative modern Japanese 'Observation Garden' established in the 19th century./Courtesy of Ueya Kato Joen

The garden is called an ideal space that is a miniature version of nature and embodies the human psyche in reality. Many people choose gardens as spaces for walking and sometimes as places for meditation. In fact, many find solace just by sitting in a garden for a while. Scientists from Japan and the United States have revealed the results of their analysis on why well-maintained gardens bring a sense of comfort.

Researchers from Nagasaki University, Matsumoto University of Technology, Kyoto University, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of California, San Diego, and Suzhou University of Science and Technology in China introduced their research findings on the 15th (local time) in the international journal Frontiers in Neuroscience, suggesting that the feeling of comfort when appreciating a well-maintained garden is due to effects similar to those of eye movements that relieve stress.

To investigate why well-maintained gardens provide a sense of comfort, the researchers compared and analyzed the MuRinAn garden, a representative garden in Kyoto, Japan, with the relatively less maintained Kyoto University garden.

On the 15th (local time), researchers from Japan and the United States introduce research results in the international journal Frontier Neuroscience, stating that the reason one feels comfortable while appreciating a well-tended garden is due to effects similar to eye movements that alleviate stress./Courtesy of Ueya Kato Joen

The MuRinAn garden, which is also a popular destination for tourists, is considered a representative Japanese-style 'observational garden' created in the 19th century as a villa for Yamagata Aritomo (山縣有朋・1838~1922), known as the father of the modern Japanese army and a key figure behind the Japanese invasion of the Korean Peninsula. Unlike most gardens where visitors are expected to stroll and appreciate the elements of the garden from various visual perspectives, the observational garden is designed for sitting in one spot to enjoy the view. It is evaluated to show a naturalistic perspective with a dynamic flow resembling a small river, drawing water from a nearby lake. The lead author of this study, Professor Goto Seiko from Nagasaki University, noted that 'this well-designed Japanese garden contains a vibrant and abstract landscape that is meticulously crafted,' and added that 'it encourages the observer to look longer to understand the composition and meaning of the scenery while moving their gaze more quickly and frequently.'

Professor Karl Herup, a co-author from the University of Pittsburgh, said, 'We confirmed that there is a relationship between rapid eye movement, reduced heart rate, and improved mood,' and added, 'The reason stress is alleviated after enjoying a well-maintained Japanese garden is due to its design features that prompt horizontal and frequent eye movement.'

The researchers conducted observational experiments in the MuRinAn garden, which began renovations in 2023. They sent 16 college students majoring in art policy and civil engineering to observe the garden for 7 minutes, using eye trackers and blood flow meters to record eye movements, heart rates, and moods. The researchers also sent students to the Kyoto University garden to conduct similar experiments and record their physical and psychological states. This garden is located behind the civil engineering department building on the Kyoto University campus.

Two gardens used in the study. (A) Photo of the Murin-an Garden on the day of the experiment. (B) Photo of the Kyoto University Garden on the first day of the experiment. (C) Layout of the Murin-an Garden provided by Tomoki Kato. (D) Layout of the Kyoto University Garden provided by Liang Chien Kai. (E) Photo of the participant viewing the Murin-an Garden. (F) Photo showing the viewpoint of the participant viewing the Kyoto University Garden.

The two gardens are similar in size, but there are clear visual differences for the observer. The biggest difference is that the garden space of MuRinAn is surrounded by trees, while the Kyoto University garden is enclosed by university buildings.

Above all, the MuRinAn garden is meticulously maintained in terms of the size of shrubs and plants, maintaining a perspective similar to a one-point perspective where depth is well represented. The branches of the trees in the front are pruned to reveal the middle and distant landscapes through the branches. The center of the garden is open, and water flows diagonally.

In contrast, the trees in the Kyoto University garden were left to grow naturally without pruning. The Kyoto University garden lacks balance in the overall landscape, with the scenery behind the cedar completely obscured by dense foliage. Weeds and trash are noticeable throughout the space, and the center of the garden is filled with shrubs.

The researchers confirmed that participants' fields of view were broader and their gaze moved more rapidly in the MuRinAn garden. Unlike the Kyoto University garden, the gaze of students participating in the experiment in the MuRinAn garden spread widely enough to cover the entire visual field. Professor Goto stated, 'To guide the focus of garden visitors, not only the quality of the design but also the quality of maintenance is crucial,' and noted that 'it appears that the gaze of the viewers was pulled towards well-pruned trees and perfectly clean ground, leading to continued movement.'

All experiment participants reported that the MuRinAn garden felt much more comfortable than the Kyoto University garden and expressed a desire to revisit. The MuRinAn garden was also found to have effects on calming heart rates and improving mood. The researchers explained that these results are similar to the effects observed in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, which utilizes eye movements to reduce stress. According to the National Health Insurance Corporation, moving the eyes up and down, side to side, or in an '8' shape can help reduce stress.

A well-designed garden can significantly reduce stress. The layout of the garden is important for achieving this effect. Both gardens studied in this research have water features, stones, trees, and bridges. However, in the MuRinAn garden, visitors' gazes move along elements arranged horizontally, while in the Kyoto University garden, the focus appears to be on the bridge, plants in the middle area, and the stream.

Initially, the researchers hypothesized that specific visual elements in the garden would influence stress relief. However, they confirmed that it is not a single specific element, but rather the horizontal movement of the eyes dictated by the overall layout structure of the garden that alleviates stress. It was not specific elements like trees, bridges, or streams, but rather the positioning of objects in the entire space that guided gaze movement. In the Kyoto University garden, it was also found that participants' heart rates did not increase or decrease according to specific objects.

The researchers emphasized the need to encourage viewing strategies that reflect not just a single visual element but the overall design characteristics. Professor Herup stated, 'The MuRinAn garden is designed as an observational garden, appreciated from a specific viewpoint,' adding that 'it encourages attention to detail and guides the gaze naturally.'

The patterns of fixation points in the two gardens appeared differently. The researchers divided the elements that attract attention in Murin-an Garden (A) and Kyoto University (B) gardens using a classification table (C). (D) Graphically expressed in order of time fixed on points in the Murin-an Garden. The size of each block is proportional to the time the participant spent looking at that element. In the Murin-an Garden, the gaze stayed longest on the small stream, the central area, and the bridge. (E) In the Kyoto University Garden, it is shown that there was a lot of attention on the central bridge. (F) A figure indicating areas of high interest for the observer in the Murin-an Garden. The red dotted line represents areas of high interest for viewers. The yellow dotted line represents areas of average interest. (G) The same experiment results conducted in the Kyoto University Garden.

The researchers noted that the insufficient time spent in the garden by the students participating in the experiment, along with the fact that all participants were students, might have impacted the results. However, they added that further research confirmed that the positive effects of gardens are not influenced by age, racial background, or cognitive status.

The reason that gardens and temples provide psychological comfort beyond aesthetic satisfaction has remained a long-standing mystery. Scientists are currently conducting research utilizing neurobiology to uncover the design know-how and effects acquired through centuries of trial and error by garden designers. Domestic research is still in its infancy. Korea has several old gardens, such as Soswaewon in Damyang, Jeonnam, and Yeongsanam of Bongjeongsa Temple in Andong, Gyeongbuk, which have differing garden design philosophies, but no studies like this analysis have been conducted yet. There have been some studies on the stress-reducing effects of gardens using forests or urban green spaces.

The researchers stated that this study could help patients with neurodegenerative diseases. Professor Goto noted, 'The effect of garden appreciation, once regarded as a hobby for the wealthy, in inducing a sense of comfort has been proven to be potentially used as a treatment method in hospitals or welfare facilities,' and suggested, 'It would be nice to see it utilized as a means of managing mental health in an aging society.'

References

Journal Frontiers in Neuroscience, DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2025.1581080