Read What Researchers Say

Scientific evidence has been long accumulating for the revitalizing emotional benefits of Japanese gardens. Here is a sampling of related reports, conference talks, and popular books and articles: 

  • Journey to Well-being: A Nature-based Practice using Japanese Gardens, Conference Session, American Horticultural Therapy Association Annual Conference, October 5, 2019 (https://ahta.memberclicks.net/2019-conference-sessions#Saturday_Afternoon)

  • Japanese Gardens: The Ultimate Healing Environments; Journal of the North American Japanese Garden Association, Vol. 6 – 2019 (https://najga.org/journal6/)

  • Latest Findings On Cognitive Characteristics of Japanese Gardens; Journal of the North American Japanese Garden Association, Vol. 5 – 2018 (https://najga.org/journal5/)

  • Visionary Landscapes: Japanese Garden Design in North America, Kendall H. Brown, Tuttle Publishing, 2017 (This book features a chapter on the Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital in Lebanon, OR and its creation and application of a Japanese garden to patient care.) 

  • A Pilot Study On The Effects Of Viewing [Philadelphia’s] Shofuso Japanese Garden; Journal of the North American Japanese Garden Association, Vo. 4 – 2017 (https://najga.org/journal4/) 

  • Japanese Garden Design, Perception, and Wellness; Sacred Nature, April 5, 2016 (https://naturesacred.org/japanese-garden-wellness/)

  • Psychological and Biological Response to Three Landscapes in Japan: A Pilot Study; Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture, Vol. 23, No. 1 – 2013 (https://www.ahta.org/journal-of-therapeutic-horticulture-23-1---2013

  • The Effect of a Reflective Garden Walking Program; Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture Vol. 23, No. 1 – 2013  (https://www.ahta.org/journal-of-therapeutic-horticulture-23-1---2013

  • Visual Preference for Garden Design: Appreciation of the Japanese Garden; Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture, Vol. 22, No. 1 – 2012

  • Green Views In The Health Environment, Sukiya Living – The Journal of Japanese Gardening, Vol 46, July-August 2005 (http://www.rothteien.com/archives/ergonomics/greenviews.htm) 

  • A Review: Theories of Restorative Environments; Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture, Vol. 12 – 2001 (https://www.ahta.org/journal-of-therapeutic-horticulture-12---2001)

  • Enabling the Japanese Garden; Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture, Vol. 9 – 1998 (https://www.ahta.org/journal-of-therapeutic-horticulture-9---1998)