One of the most popular Instagrammable spots in Osaka is definitely the Glico Man in Dotonbori. Everybody has seen this legendary sign created by the Japanese confectionery company Glico. This running man has been there for more than 80 years now!
But do you actually know why Glico uses a running man as its mascot? The backstory is pretty interesting, so let me tell you about it.
It all goes back to Glico’s first product, a caramel candy. The founder, Riichi Ezaki, wanted to promote it as an energy snack. In fact, each candy was said to give you enough calories to run 300 meters. To illustrate that idea, a running man was used as the logo for the product, and it has remained part of the brand ever since. Pretty original, right?
Where Is the Glico Man and How to Get There?
The Glico Running Man is located in Dotonbori, one of the most famous entertainment areas in Osaka. If you have ever seen pictures of Osaka with bright neon lights, giant signboards, and a canal full of people walking around at night, it was probably Dotonbori. The sign is right next to Ebisu Bridge, which is where most people stop to take their photo.
If you want to get there by train, the easiest option is usually to go to Namba Station. From Osaka Metro Namba Station or Kintetsu Osaka-Namba Station, it only takes a few minutes to walk to the Glico sign. If you arrive at JR Namba Station, it is a little farther, but still very easy on foot. So overall, it is a super accessible spot and one of the easiest landmarks to visit if you are already exploring central Osaka.
You can also come from Shinsaibashi, which is another great area to walk around before heading to Dotonbori. In fact, one of the nicest things about visiting the Glico Man is that it fits perfectly into a stroll around the neighborhood. You can do some shopping, grab street food, walk along the canal, and then stop for your photo once you reach Ebisu Bridge.
And honestly, once you get to Dotonbori, you really cannot miss it. Just follow the crowds, the canal, and the neon lights, and sooner or later you will see the legendary running man waiting for you.
In case you really missed it, here’s the exact locations: Glico Sign Dotonbori.
Glico Man Photo Spot
With the rise of Social Media, especially Instagram, the Glico Man photo spot became super popular and you can’t visit Osaka without getting some shots there. Most people take pictures of the Glico Man at the Ebisu bridge that is just below the sign. But this area is becoming super crowded and sometimes, you even have to queue to take a nice picture.
What a lot of people don’t know is that you actually have a secret photo spot that is way better than the bridge!
Glico Running Man Secret Photo Spot
The exact location of this spot is actually pretty easy to find, if you know where it is! Instead of explaining how to get there with a long text, follow the instructions of this video and you will find it:
@martlindnerThe HIDDEN spot for Glico Running Man in Osaka, Japan.♬ Ready Let’s Go – DARKMINDS
As you can see, this photo spot has been specially made to take pictures of you with the Glico Man. When you take your pictures, try to make the white lines aligned and you will get an epic shot!
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When to Take Pictures at the Glico Sign?
If you want the best picture, I would recommend going either during the day for a cleaner shot, or in the evening if you want the classic neon Dotonbori atmosphere. The secret photo spot is especially great in daylight because you can clearly see the blue track and the white lines, which is what makes the picture so special. It really gives the illusion that you are standing on the running track right in front of the Glico Man, almost like you are part of the sign itself.
At night, the area feels more vibrant and more Osaka-like, but during the day, this specific spot works really well if your goal is to get that perfect track effect. Also, if you want to avoid too many people around, try to go earlier in the morning or outside of the busiest evening hours.
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I hope you enjoyed this article and shhhhh, this location is a secret between me and you. 🙂 Make sure you also check out this article for the 20 most photogenic spots in Osaka.
If you want to get cool travel pictures in Dotonbori that are better than your blurry selfies, I recommend you to hire a photographer in Osaka! You will be able to enjoy a tour guided by a local and you will also get stunning shots out of this experience.
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