Dotonbori Glico Sign — Attraction in Osaka

🌟🍜🎇 Glico Sign & Dotonbori – Osaka’s Neon Wonderland! 🎇🍜🌟

Let’s get one thing straight—you haven’t really been to Osaka until you’ve stood under the blazing glow of the Glico Running Man sign and felt like the star of your own over-the-top anime opening.

🏃‍♂️💨 THE GLICO SIGN: There he is—arms triumphantly raised, sprinting forever to imaginary glory. This giant LED champion has been shining down on Dotonbori since 1935 (with a few glow-ups along the way), and you can feel his energy the second you spot him.

Everyone—EVERYONE—takes a picture here, arms stretched up in perfect Glico victory pose. Don’t fight it. Just surrender to the ritual and strike your best marathon-winner stance.

🌈 THE AREA: The Glico Sign is just the opening act for the sensory overload that is Dotonbori. Imagine Times Square, but with 400% more takoyaki, mechanical crabs the size of cars, and alleys pulsing with lanterns and laughter.

Highlights you absolutely can’t miss: 🍢 Takoyaki Stands: Follow the sizzling smell of octopus balls cooking in their special cast-iron molds. They’re molten-lava hot, but that’s part of the thrill.

🦀 Kani Doraku Crab: You’ll know it when you see it—a GIANT animatronic crab slowly waving hello. Stop for a selfie and then go inside if you want fresh crab so sweet you’ll shed a tear.

🍜 Ichiran Ramen: Eat solo in your private booth and focus on nothing but rich, porky broth nirvana.

🎭 Don Quijote Ferris Wheel: This discount mega-store literally has a giant oval ferris wheel attached to the side. Why? Because it’s Dotonbori, and nothing makes sense here in the best way possible.

🌟 Vibe Check: The energy here is pure festival every night of the year. Neon signs flicker over the canal, boat cruises float by blasting J-pop, and the streets are alive with tourists, locals, street performers, and vendors selling everything from matcha ice cream to takoyaki keychains.

If you stand still long enough, someone will probably offer you a sample of fried squid or ask you to pose for their travel vlog. Just roll with it.

📸 Photo Ops: ✅ Glico Man (mandatory) ✅ Giant Crab ✅ Blowfish Lantern ✅ Random cosplay parades (seriously, you’ll probably see one) ✅ Dotonbori Canal lit up like Blade Runner

💡 Pro Tips:

Come at night. The neon lights are absolutely next-level. Bring cash—lots of food stalls don’t take cards. Expect crowds and embrace the chaos. Try as many street foods as your stomach can handle. ⭐ Final Verdict: Dotonbori and the Glico Sign are not just Osaka landmarks—they are a full-blown sensory assault that will leave you buzzing with joy, sodium, and pure Osaka spirit.

So grab a takoyaki, strike your victory pose, and let the neon madness wash over you.

🌟 Dotonbori: It’s weird, it’s wonderful, it’s 100% unforgettable.

🏆 Overall Rating: 11/10 – Would sprint under...

As the sun sets, the streets along the Dōtonbori Canal are ablaze with billboards, TV screens and flashing LED signs. But standing out among the hundreds of modern signs is the oldest one. The 33-meter-tall billboard still stands where it was built 90 years ago, on southwest side of the Ebisubashi Bridge, in Osaka‘s premier shopping and entertainment district, with a drawing of a jogging man called the Glico Running Man, one of the most well known landmarks in Osaka.

The backstory to why the running man was chosen to be Glico’s mascot was said to derived from a candy caramel - the Gilco’s first product. Launched on 11 February 1922 as an energy product by adding oysters glycogen to it, and had been advertised that each candy could give user energy to run 300 metres, so a running man has been used until this day as the mascot of this Asia’s famous confectionery companies.

In 1935, a Glico Man billboard was placed along the Dōtonbori Canal. It remained there until 1998, when it was updated with its current billboard, among the many flashy signs lining the canal. Since then, the Glico Running Man has become a symbol of Osaka and one of the most visited tourist spots in the city, and is also where several sports teams celebrate their victories.

The history of Dōtonbori dates back to 1612 when Yasui Doton, a merchant, invested all his personal capital in an ambitious local development project. Today, Dōtonbori is known as a foodie's paradise, with restaurants, food stalls and bars lining the streets.

The most popular tourist attraction is the stretch between Daikokubashi and Nippombashi Bridges on the Dōtonbori Canal, centered on Ebisubashi Bridge. It is easily accessible from Namba Subway Station in just few...

The Dotonbori Glico Sign (道頓堀グリコサイン) is one of Osaka’s most iconic landmarks, drawing attention from both locals and tourists. Located in the bustling Dotonbori district, this large, neon-lit billboard has been an emblem of the area for decades, symbolizing Osaka’s vibrant nightlife and entertainment culture. The Glico Sign first appeared in 1935 as an advertisement for the Glico confectionery company, known for its iconic caramel candy. Over the years, it has evolved into a symbol of the city itself, recognized worldwide.

The sign features a runner, representing the Glico athlete, in mid-stride, with the company’s name displayed prominently above him. The runner’s posture has become instantly recognizable, and it’s often associated with Osaka’s energetic and dynamic atmosphere. The bright, flashing lights and bold colors of the sign make it especially striking at night, when Dotonbori’s lively street scene comes to life.

The Glico Sign has also become a popular photo spot for visitors. Tourists flock to take pictures in front of it, sometimes striking their own poses or imitating the runner’s stance. Its location near the Dotonbori Canal adds to its charm, with the sign reflecting off the water at night.

In addition to being a nostalgic advertisement, the Glico Sign is a testament to Osaka’s role as a center for innovation, entertainment, and iconic pop culture. It remains a must-see attraction...