Glico Sign History: 6 Generations and the Last Look Before Late Nov 2026

Stand on Ebisubashi bridge, throw both arms up like the running man, and someone takes the photo. If your Osaka trip is in December 2026, you may miss that shot: the sixth-generation sign comes down at the end of November, renovation starts in December, and the seventh generation is planned for spring 2027. Ezaki Glico announced it on October 14, 2026, the next chapter in a Glico sign history that began in 1935.

Quick facts (checked October 15, 2026)

• Sixth-generation sign: on display until the end of November 2026 (Glico's wording, no exact day given)
• Renovation: from December 2026. Seventh generation: planned for spring 2027
• Current (sixth-generation) lighting: sunset to midnight (24:00), may be shortened depending on conditions
• What the site will look like during the work: not announced yet

When can you still see the Dotonbori Glico sign?

Glico's wording is "end of November", not a date. The "November 30" you see in some posts is not official.

Bottom line: see the sixth sign sometime in November, and don't leave it to the last few days.

The sixth generation went up in October 2014. It stands 20.00 m tall and 10.38 m wide and runs on about 140,000 LED chips (143,976 to be exact). It was the first Glico sign to swap neon for LED, which is why it can play video. The Glico logo at the top was redesigned in June 2022.

Who is the Glico running man?

[Close-up of the Glico running man on the blue track background] The runner, called the "goal-in mark", dates back to 1920. Founder Riichi Ezaki saw children crossing a finish line in a footrace and decided that was the symbol of health he wanted. It became famous on the package of Glico's first product, a nutritional caramel launched in 1922.

What are the 6 Glico sign generations?

Each sign ended for its own reason: the first came down in 1943 when steel was requisitioned for the war, the fourth went dark in 1996 when the building next door was renovated, and the sixth swapped neon for LED so it could play video.

Six signs in ninety-one years, and the runner is still heading for the goal line.

In April 2003 the sign was also designated an Osaka City landscape-forming structure under the city's urban landscape ordinance (now called an Osaka City urban landscape resource). In other words, a billboard officially became part of the city view.

CrowdsDotonbori crowd LEVEL right now

Where to see it before it goes?

• Where: Ebisubashi bridge and the canal-side Tombori River Walk face it head-on. The address is 1-10-4 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka.
• When: It is lit every evening (hours in Quick facts above). Day and night shots feel completely different, so many people take both.
• Crowds: Stopping too long on the bridge blocks foot traffic. Check IKOKA's Dotonbori crowd LEVEL and pick a quieter hour.

What if you visit during the 2026 renovation?

[Other giant billboards along the Dotonbori canal at night] Even while the Glico sign is under renovation, Dotonbori's other giant signs and the canal at night are still there. If you want to see the old Glico signs, you have two options.

1. Ezaki Memorial Hall (Nishiyodogawa, Osaka): dioramas of generations one to five, rebuilt with the street scenes around them. About a 16-minute walk from the west exit of JR Tsukamoto Station.
   • Reservation required: reservation only, booked by the day before
   • Free: no admission fee
   • Japanese only: guidance is in Japanese, so bring an interpreter if you need one
   • Closed: Sundays, holidays, and Saturdays other than the first and third
   • Oct–Nov web booking paused: because of demolition work next door, web bookings are paused and open only for days the hall can operate (notice last updated October 15, 2026; extra time slots were opened in the October 1 and October 15 updates)
2. Web-VR: Glico has put the same dioramas online as a Web-VR tour you can open on your phone, no headset needed. It makes good in-flight reading.

[Tombori cruise boat on the Dotonbori canal] At night, walking the Tombori River Walk and watching the signs reflect on the canal is still the most "I'm in Osaka" moment there is. For the rest of your day, pick quieter hours with the crowd LEVELs for Shinsaibashi-suji, Kuromon Market and Osaka Castle. Shopping on Shinsaibashi-suji? Japan's tax-free system changed on November 1, so read how the new refund works before you buy.

FAQ

Is the Glico sign being removed for good? No. Glico says the sixth generation ends in late November, renovation starts in December, and a seventh generation is planned for spring 2027. The press release is subtitled "the Glico runner keeps running".

Will the runner still be on the new sign? Glico describes the runner as the symbol of its founding spirit and says it will keep running, but the seventh-generation design has not been published yet.

Can I visit Ezaki Memorial Hall without a booking? No. It is reservation-only, and walk-ins are turned away.

What to read next?

The day before, check the Osaka sky on our live cams and pick your hour with the Dotonbori crowd LEVEL. When the seventh generation is unveiled, we will add it right here. If a friend is heading to Osaka at the end of the year, share this with them. Next read: when are Osaka's busiest spots actually calm? Our free guide lists the quietest times at 83 popular spots in Japan.

Next readThe quietest times at 83 popular spots in Japan

In Glico's own words, the runner keeps running. Which Glico sign did you first take a photo with?

Photo: Dotonbori Glico Sign (6th generation) ｜ Image via Ezaki Glico (press kit) Information checked on October 15, 2026.