Numerous studies have demonstrated the positive impact on mood and mental wellbeing that comes from simply observing nature or even pictures of natural landscapes. In Japanese research, observing plants led to changes in EEG readings and lowered stress, fear, anger, and sadness, while also decreasing blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle tension.
Zen rock gardens, or karesansui (translated as "dry mountain water"), originated in medieval Japan and are renowned for their simplicity and serenity. The most famous of these can be found in Kyoto at the 15th-century Ryoan-ji, the Temple of the Peaceful Dragon.