Visitors to Dotonbori will see the sixth-generation Glico sign for the last time on 30 November 2026, before renewal work changes a familiar view beside Ebisu-bashi Bridge in Osaka. The running figure will remain part of the planned seventh-generation design.
Dotonbori Glico sign ends on 30 November 2026
Ezaki Glico will end the current sign’s display on 30 November 2026, Nippon TV reported after the company announced the renewal. The sixth-generation sign was unveiled in 2014 and replaced an earlier neon version above the canal-side district.
The company says the sign is being renewed with newer LED technology because the present lighting equipment is ageing. The sixth generation will complete its role on 30 November, while the seventh-generation sign is planned for spring 2027. Its design has not been disclosed, but the running figure is to remain. Nippon TV’s report records the date, location and planned replacement.
Time Out also reported that the current display will stay in place until 30 November, with work beginning after the final display. This gives visitors in November a defined point before the familiar sign is removed from the view across the canal. The change is a renewal rather than a permanent end for the running figure. Time Out’s account places the sign in Dotonbori and confirms the 30 November deadline.
The Glico sign stands above a 400-year-old canal
The sign overlooks the Dotonbori Canal near Ebisu-bashi Bridge, where the waterway remains the district’s defining physical feature. The canal project was completed in 1615, after work begun by the merchant Yasui Doton, and the area later became associated with theatres, restaurants and entertainment.
In 1626, officials allowed theatres to move to the canal’s banks, helping Dotonbori develop into a major theatre district. That history explains why the sign is seen within a much older entertainment setting rather than as an isolated billboard. The current sixth-generation display, unveiled in 2014, therefore marks one stage in a longer sequence of changes along the waterfront. Japan’s tourism guide describes the canal, Ebisu-bashi Bridge and the sign’s position in the district.
What the sign renewal means for an Osaka visit
The renewal separates the final weeks of the sixth display from the period when the structure will be covered during works. The operator has not released the seventh design, so the future appearance cannot yet be described beyond the continuing running figure and the spring 2027 plan.
The change also gives the bridge a precise visitor reference point. A photograph made by 30 November 2026 records the sixth-generation display, while a visit from 1 December 2026 falls within the renewal period and may show a covered structure instead.
Visiting Dotonbori: what travellers from Western Europe should knowThe sixth-generation Glico sign remains on display until 30 November 2026 at the Dotonbori sign beside Ebisu-bashi Bridge. Renewal work begins on 1 December 2026.The district remains accessible, but the sign itself changes after 30 November 2026; the seventh-generation version is planned for spring 2027.Dotonbori is beside the canal in central Osaka. Namba Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line provides access, while Nipponbashi Station and Osaka Namba Station are also named approaches.The canal-side district is an urban walking area with bridges, paved streets and a waterfront promenade rather than a rural trail or elevated viewpoint.Japan’s official language is Japanese and its national currency is the yen.Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.Searching for Dotonbori on social platforms
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Frequently asked questions about DotonboriWhen does the Glico sign renewal begin at Dotonbori?
The sixth-generation display ends on 30 November 2026, and renewal work begins on 1 December 2026. A seventh-generation sign is planned for spring 2027.
What is Dotonbori?
Dotonbori is an entertainment and dining district beside a canal in Osaka. The canal was completed in 1615, and theatres moved to its banks in 1626.
Where is Dotonbori and how do you get there?
The district is in central Osaka beside Ebisu-bashi Bridge and Dotonbori Canal. Namba Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line is a named route to the area.
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