Health · Fitness & Nutrition · 1 day ago
Japanese study links enclosed streetscapes with better sleep
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University studied 1,089 people aged 40 to 59 who commute to central Tokyo.
They compared participants’ sleep with features of the streets around their homes, using Google Maps images and survey data.
Streets with buildings and trees filling more of a person’s view were described as having a stronger sense of enclosure.
People in these areas reported fewer insomnia symptoms and longer sleep, while streets rated as safer were also linked with longer sleep.
The findings suggest that the surroundings near home may be connected to sleep, alongside factors such as health.
The study found an association, but it did not establish that enclosed streets cause better sleep; the researchers say clarifying cause and effect is a future challenge.
The team says the findings may help inform urban planning and home choices, including designs with greenery, comfortable enclosure and moderate traffic.
A Japan research team found that people living on streetscapes with a stronger visual sense of enclosure reported fewer insomnia symptoms and longer sleep.
The study surveyed 1,089 people ages 40 to 59 who commute to central Tokyo.
Researchers used Google Street View images and artificial intelligence to assess features of participants’ neighborhoods.
Streetscapes rated as safer also tended to be associated with longer sleep duration.
The researchers said the study showed an association, but clarifying cause and effect remains a challenge.
- Who
- A research team led by Daisuke Matsushita, a professor at Osaka Metropolitan University.
- What
- The team found an association between a stronger sense of streetscape enclosure and fewer insomnia symptoms and longer sleep.
- When
- The findings were published by Mainichi EN on Oct. 12, 2026. The journal publication date is not stated.
- Where
- The study involved people who commute to central Tokyo; Matsushita is at Osaka Metropolitan University.
- Why
- The researchers examined whether the landscape around people’s homes is related to sleep.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The team surveyed 1,089 people ages 40 to 59 who commute to central Tokyo.
Researchers analyzed about 210,000 Google Street View images of areas around participants’ homes.
The team found that a greater sense of enclosure was associated with fewer insomnia symptoms and longer sleep.
Mainichi EN published a report on the research findings.
- Participants
- 1,089 people ages 40 to 59
- Commuting destination
- Central Tokyo
- Street View images
- About 210,000
- Sleep association
- Greater sense of enclosure linked to fewer insomnia symptoms and longer sleep
- Lead researcher
- Daisuke Matsushita, Osaka Metropolitan University
What people are saying
It was statistically shown that people who live in places with a high sense of enclosure have better sleep.
Sleep research has centered on the medical field, but the environment around one's home may also be closely related.
It's also important to evaluate the scenery of a city as seen from the perspective of the people who actually use it.
Sources
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