Overview

• A study published in *Frontiers in Neuroscience* shows that observing the Murin-an garden in Kyoto reduces heart rates by approximately 4% and enhances mood.
• Researchers from the University of Nagasaki and the University of Pittsburgh identified rapid horizontal gaze shifts, induced by the garden’s design, as the key mechanism behind these effects.
• The study compared Murin-an with a less artfully designed Kyoto University garden, finding significantly greater calming effects in the former due to its meticulous design and maintenance.
• Japanese viewing gardens, such as Murin-an, are structured for solitary contemplation, contrasting with social garden layouts common in Western and Chinese traditions.
• The findings draw parallels between garden-induced gaze shifts and therapies like EMDR, suggesting potential applications in mental health and wellbeing, particularly for aging populations.