Osaka’s iconic Dotonbori Glico sign will go dark at midnight on November 30, 2026, as confectionery manufacturer Ezaki Glico begins a major overhaul of the aging LED landmark ahead of a seventh-generation redesign scheduled for public unveiling in the spring of 2027.
The illuminated running man overlooking the Dotonbori canal has welcomed visitors and locals to Osaka’s Minami entertainment district since its first installation in 1935. Now, after more than a decade of continuous service, the current sixth-generation structure must yield to renovation work because its onboard lighting components have deteriorated with age. Confectionery giant Ezaki Glico announced the upcoming overhaul on October 13, 2026, setting the final illumination date for November 30.
Aging LED Hardware Drives the Overhaul
The current setup relies on approximately 140,000 individual LED chips that light up the structure nightly from sunset until midnight. Company representatives noted that sourcing replacement parts for the aging array has grown increasingly difficult after more than ten years of continuous operation since the sixth-generation sign was installed in October 2014. While the exact visual layout and design of the seventh-generation replacement remain strictly confidential, the manufacturer has confirmed that the upcoming upgrade will swap out older hardware for modern LED technology designed to boost visual brilliance and significantly improve energy efficiency.
Beyond its physical transformation, the project coincides with a broader effort to strengthen corporate communications and raise international awareness of the company’s wider business activities beyond confectionery.
During the construction period, which spans from December through early spring, the landmark will be hidden behind a protective banner. The company is exploring ways to allow tourists to still enjoy the sign even while it is undergoing a makeover.
Evolution of a Nine-Decade Dotonbori Landmark
The upcoming transition marks the latest chapter in a long design history that mirrors Japan’s broader technological and urban changes. The first Dotonbori sign in 1935 was a 33-meter neon tower featuring the Glico name and its trademark running man in six changing colors, along with a floral pattern that flashed 19 times per minute. Originally conceptualized to advertise heart-shaped caramel candy alongside the slogan 300 meters in a single piece
—implying a single caramel provided enough energy to finish a 300-meter race—the display quickly transformed into an Osaka institution.
- 1955: Rebuilt during postwar reconstruction into a bullet-shaped structure equipped with a built-in balcony stage for live musical performances and puppet shows.
- 1963: Introduced a water display that pumped 12 tons of water into the air, illuminated by 12 colored lights to form a vibrant rainbow geyser.
- 1972: Incorporated the signature blue running track backdrop.
- 1998: Integrated local landmarks into the background imagery, including Osaka Castle and the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan.
- 2014: Switched entirely from neon to energy-efficient LEDs, enabling dynamic digital backdrops like sunsets and Mount Fuji.
Corporate Strategy
Beyond its physical transformation, the project coincides with a broader effort to strengthen corporate communications and raise awareness of the company’s business beyond the sign’s role as a popular tourist attraction.
The Glico sign goes beyond the bounds of corporate advertising and is beloved. We will evolve it so that visitors can enjoy it even more.
Ezaki Glico representative
Company representatives confirmed that the runner’s classic silhouette and outstretched-arms victory pose will remain entirely unchanged in the new iteration. We’d like to continue using the runner as a symbol of our commitment to delivering health and wellness to society,
a company spokesperson explained regarding the permanent design elements.