˙    A new neuroscience approach using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in landscape evaluation is proposed.

˙    Urban and nature landscape effect differently not only in attention restorative measuring scale but also in brain activities.

˙    Brain activated differently with urban and other nature landscapes, especially water.

This study aimed to compare the restorative value of four types of landscape environments (urban, mountain, forest, and water) by means of fMRI. The result showing increased activity in the visual and attentional focus areas when an urban environment is viewed as opposed to a natural environment. However, when viewing water landscape the brain activity will be down. These findings reveal a new approach to test the restorative value of an environment and support the restorative effect of the natural environment.