Your last chance to snap a photo with the iconic sign.
Cover image via SAYS
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Planning a trip to Osaka? You might want to squeeze in that iconic Glico Running Man selfie before the end of November.
One of Osaka's most recognisable landmarks is set for a makeover, with the famous Glico Running Man sign in Dotonbori scheduled to switch off its lights on 30 November 2026.
The sign, which overlooks the Dotonbori canal, will be replaced with a seventh-generation design in spring 2027, according to Japanese media reports.
This means travellers visiting Osaka during the year-end holidays will temporarily miss out on one of the city's most popular photo spots.
But don't worry, the famous runner isn't going anywhere for good
Confectionery company Ezaki Glico announced on 14 October that the current sign, which has been in place since 2014, will be replaced.
While the company has yet to reveal the new design, it has confirmed that the familiar athlete with his arms raised in victory will remain the centrepiece.
The makeover is necessary because the LED components in the existing sign are ageing. The replacement will also use LED technology, although it's unclear whether the new display will introduce any major visual changes.
Standing approximately 20m tall and 10.38m wide, the current sign features around 140,000 LED lights.
Work on the replacement is expected to begin in December, with the new sign scheduled to debut in spring 2027.
The Glico Running Man has been an Osaka icon since 1935
For many tourists, recreating the Running Man's victory pose is practically a rite of passage when visiting Osaka.
The sign was first installed near Ebisubashi Bridge in Dotonbori in 1935.
Although the original display was dismantled during World War II, subsequent versions have kept the iconic runner in the spotlight over the decades.
The sign has undergone several transformations, with previous versions featuring colourful fountains, neon lighting, and backgrounds that simulated the changing time of day
The current sixth-generation sign was introduced in 2014, marking the transition from traditional neon lighting to LED technology.
You still have time to snap a photo with the current Glico Running Man
For travellers planning an end-of-year getaway, 30 November 2026 is the last day to see the current version before it goes dark.
The seventh-generation sign is expected to debut in spring 2027.
Until then, consider this your reminder to strike that arms-up pose while you still can.
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