Happiness Walk

Happiness Walk, also known as Kofuku no Komichi, is a commemorative path dedicated to Professor Satoshi Ōmura (b. 1935), a biochemist and joint winner of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Ōmura’s work includes the development of the anti-parasitic drugs avermectin and ivermectin. Ōmura was born and raised in Nirasaki and the path running beside the Amarisawa River was the route he would walk to junior high school every day.

Today, the Happiness Walk is the most scenic route from Nirasaki Station to the Ōmura Art Museum. It features nine sculptures by different artists, along with a statue of the professor himself by sculptor Hiroko Tsuda. The nine artworks were chosen by a selection committee for their individual artistic qualities, giving the collection an eclectic character. For example, there is a large teddy bear sculpture by Atsuhiko Misawa, a granite and bronze radish by Harumi Watanabe, and even a sculpture made of Japanese red pine tree roots by Kohei Takekoshi.

The slope of the hill in the direction of the station makes for a gentle walk with a wide view of the city and the surrounding mountains. In spring, the sound of the flowing river and the colorful cherry blossoms lining the path make the walk a particularly special experience. Ideal for quiet contemplation in any season, the Happiness Walk runs for about 1 kilometer between Kamiyamamachi crossing and Takedabashi Nishizume crossing, which is a 15-minute walk from Nirasaki Station.