Dotombori District
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#5Old towns in JapanTravelers' Choice Best of the Best 2026
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About
Dotombori District, Osaka, Japan: an eccentric nightlife strip on the canal in Namba, known for its illuminated signboards and the Glico Man.
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Why go
- The illuminated Glico Man billboard, showing a runner crossing a finishing line, on the canal's south bank just west of Ebisubashi.
- The 77-metre-high ferris wheel of Ebisu Tower, built into the facade of a Don Quijote store.
- The six-and-a-half-metre crab billboard, whose arms and eyestalks can move.
- Kuidaore Taro, a mechanical clown that plays a drum, was installed in front of the Cui-daoré restaurant in 1950.
- Two illuminated gateway signs mark the street's western and eastern ends.
Don't miss
- Ebisubashi bridgeEbisubashi is tied to a legend of a curse on the Hanshin Tigers, considered broken in 2023.On the canal, just east of the Glico Man sign. On the map
Photo spots
- Glico Man sign from EbisubashiStand on Ebisubashi and look west along the canal to the illuminated Glico Man billboard, a runner crossing a finishing line.Ebisubashi, on the canal On the map
Tips for your visit
- Ebisubashi is a popular meeting point, nicknamed nanpa-bashi, mostly by foreigners.
- The current sixth version of the sign uses LEDs and was installed in October 2014.
- Cross from Namba or Shinsaibashi by the Tazaemonbashi or Aiaibashi footbridges. Expect an eccentric atmosphere in one of Osaka's main nightlife areas.
- A redevelopment project in the 1960s aimed to improve the water quality of the canal.
- The Cui-daoré restaurant in front of which Kuidaore Taro stands closed on 8 July 2008.
- Ebisu Tower closed in June 2008 over cracks and reopened on 19 January 2018.
Legends and hidden details
- Legend credits the canal to Yasui Dōton, but a court case in 1965 found he was a fictional character.
- The clown's name starts with Kuidaore, a Japanese word meaning to ruin oneself by spending extravagantly on food.
Sources: Dōtonbori - Wikipedia · checked 18 Oct 2026
Where
542-0076 ChuoDotombori, Dotombori Chuo Osaka Osaka Prefecture Kinki
Questions and answers
Where is Dotombori in Osaka?
Dotombori runs along the canal in Namba, from Dōtonboribashi Bridge to Nipponbashi Bridge. It is one of Osaka's main nightlife areas.
Where is the Glico Man sign in Dotombori?
The Glico Man billboard stands just west of Ebisubashi, on the south bank of the canal. It shows a runner crossing a finishing line.
What is Dotombori known for?
Dotombori is known for its eccentric atmosphere and large illuminated signboards. It was a theatre district before it became an entertainment area.
What food is Osaka known for?
Okonomiyaki, takoyaki and kitsune udon are associated with Osaka. A popular takoyaki stand near Tazaemonbashi started in 1972.
How old is the canal at Dotombori?
Canal construction began in 1612 under Nariyasu Dōton. It was finished by September 1615.
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