Osaka’s Dotonbori landmark “Glico Running Man” to temporarily go dark on 8/17

▲ The “Glico Running Man” billboard on the Dotonbori Canal will temporarily go dark on August 17. (Photo / from Wikimedia Commons)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Since 1935, the famous locallandmark billboard “Glico Running Man” (Glico), which has been running along the Dotonbori Canal in Osaka and has been passed down through five generations,will be temporarily taken down after August 17 this year (2014) due to the aging signage and plans for a redesign, with the brand-new sixth-generation version expected to make its comeback in autumn!

The “Glico Running Man” billboard, whose background features representations of Osaka’s four most famous structures (Osaka Castle, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Osaka Dome, and Tsutenkaku Tower), has always been a must-visit spot for tourists traveling to Osaka. It almost feels like you haven’t truly been here unless you’ve taken a photo with this running figure—but in fact, what we see now is already the fifth-generation design.

Starting in 1935, from the first-generation Glico neon tower to the second-generation artillery shell tower, then the third-generation water-spraying version, the fourth and fifth generations are similar, except the latter lacks the background featuring Osaka’s iconic buildings. This “Running Man” has accompanied Osakans for nearly 80 years and was designated as an “Osaka City Designated Landscape Formation Object” in 2003.

▲ Glico has been inviting visitors to hold countdown boards and take photos with the Running Man every day since the 10th. (Photo / fromGlico’s official fan page)

As the billboard has aged and the company has decided to carry out renovation work, the “Running Man,” who has been “running” for 16 years,will have its final lighting on August 17 and run toward the finish line.

Glico has also launched a “Goodbye, Fifth-Generation Glico!” 100-day countdown campaign starting on the 10th. In addition to announcing the countdown days viathe official Twitter(twitter) andfan page,they invite international visitors passing by every day to hold countdown boards and take photos with the billboard, counting down together to the day it goes dark.

Additionally, Glico stated on its official website that the brand-new sixth-generation design is expected to be completed this autumn, with the date for its return to Dotonbori to be announced separately. Visitors who haven’t had the chance to take a photo with the Glico Running Man billboard should take the opportunity to do so within the 100-day countdown period before it’s gone.