Analyzing spatial visual characteristics in Japanese stroll gardens based on eye-tracking technology: case study of Saihō-ji Garden

The Japanese garden Saihō-ji is used as a case study to evaluate the spatial-visual characteristics of sequential landscapes using eye-tracking technology. We present objective data and quantitative analysis of subjective behavior, addressing the lack of research in landscape perception. In this study, we combine virtual reality and eye-tracking technologies to collect statistical data for an entire garden through static stimulus images. The data produced are objective and enable the direct assessment of landscape elements and objects. The correlation between spatial compositions indicators and the eye-tracking data reveals that different spatial compositions have varying effects on distinct gaze elements. While this research provides a preliminary validation, it still has certain limitations. Factors such as visual fatigue and demographic differences should be considered in future studies. Further, our findings emphasize the viability of eye-tracking technology for investigating the spatial visual characteristics of sequential landscapes, prompting further research in this field.