When one thinks of Dotonbori, the first thing that comes to mind is the Glico billboard showing the image of a runner crossing the finish line. The Glico billboard is so iconic that it has become synonymous with the city of Osaka. The running man is just one of the numerous gigantic signages in neon lights that make an entire stretch of Namba dazzle and make it popular among the tourists.
Dotonbori runs along the Dotonbori canal from Dotonboribashi Bridge to Nipponbashi. It used to be a theater district, boasting of six kabuki theaters, five bunkaru theaters, and a mechanical puppet theater in 1662. These entertainment sites caused the presence of numerous restaurants and cafés to cater to those who go to the shows and dine before or after their wordly desires are satisfied.
Nowadays, Dotonbori remains an enclave for restaurants, kiosks, and even vending machines, that offer traditional and modern Japanese dishes. One can choose to enter a dining establishment and enjoy the hospitality of the place or eat outside and stare at the many enticing distractions that is a feast to the senses.
Virg and I visited Dotonbori as the sun was setting and the breeze was getting colder, which forced us to hug our clothes closer to our skin. I must have taken over 150 photos the night we visited Dotonbori, most of which are decent, but all of them are gleaming.
As mentioned at the top of this post, one of the most notable tourist spots in Dotonbori is the Glico Man of the confectionery brand. It is originally installed in 1935 to exhibit the symbol of Glico candy. It has been changed to reflect an important event in Osaka and in Japan in general. For example, it was updated to show the FIFA World Cup in 2002. The sixth and current version of the Glico Man is 20-meter high and 10-meter wide. Unlike its predecessors, which were composed of neon lights, the present Glico Man has used LED lighting since 2014.
Below the location of the Glico Man is the Dotonbari Canal. The canal helped the area to develop in the 15th century. Presently, boat cruises with locals and tourists alike ply the areas daytime and nighttime – most of which in order to gaze at the signages installed on either side of the waterway.
Adjacent to the Glico Man is the Ebisubashi bridge. It links Shinsaibashi-suji and Ebisubashi-suji shopping districts. It is crawling with people doing various activities like taking photos and selfies with the Glico Man, passing by, or just loitering around in costumes.
Virg, TR, and I met a bear while crossing the Ebisubashi bridge. It was not any ordinary bear, but my and TR’s favorite bear, Rilakkuma. Okay, this bear is on the thin side but we did not mind. The person inside the costume was so sweet to have acceded to my request to have a photo with me and then with TR.
After they saw TR in all her angelic cuteness, the girl companion of Rilakkuma, whom I will refer to as Kaoru from hereon, said, “oh, kawaii!”. She gave a tiny shriek and she thought I gave TR to Rilakkuma. I imagined TR emitting a lot of tiny dislike energies my way. I panicked a little because I could not imagine losing my tiny and lovely companion. I had to explain to Kaoru that I just wished TR to have a photo with Rilakkuma. However, I was not giving her either to Rilakkuma or to Kaoru. Kaoru took a moment to understand what I was telling her and I heard Virg snickered behind my back. After a couple of seconds with my heart not beating, Kaoru comprehended and smiled. She gave TR to Rilakkuma and two of my favorite characters had four photos together. After profusely thanking Rilakkuma and Kaoru, and with TR secured in my pocket, Virg and I continued walking.
Crossing the Ebisubashi bridge from the Glico Man part, is the Shinsaibashi-suji shopping district. It has numerous signages that illuminate the street and people fill every corner of the shops in the area.
A short walk from Ebisubashi bridge is Don Quijote Dotonbori Store. This six-storey edifice is open 24 hours a day. Inside this discount store is everything one can imagine having, from all the Kit-Kat flavors in Japan to make-up. From the outside, the façade looks very attractive at night. The brilliant and many-hued lights and the six-floor high Ferris wheel whose colors change momentarily are truly eye-catching.
Aside from the Glico Man, Kuidaore Taro, a mechanical drum-playing clown was installed in front of Cui-daore (also known as Kuidaore Ningyo) in 1950. Although Cui-daore is closed, Kuidaore Taro was moved to another location and continues to play and entertain visitors with its drum-playing skills.
For related entries, please read Dotonbori – Signs (Osaka, Japan) and Food – Dotonbori (Osaka, Japan).
How to get to Dotonbori:
It is around five minutes’ walk from Namba Station on the Nankai and Kintetsu Railways and Osaka Metro Midosuji, Sennichimae, and Yotsubashi Lines.