Ebisu Bridge

Before continuing along the route, turn left and walk toward the bridge just ahead. Ebisubashi is the most famous bridge in Dōtonbori and one of the most recognizable spots in Osaka. It connects the lively districts of Shinsaibashi and Namba across the canal and, for decades, it has been one of the city’s most popular meeting points. As you step onto the bridge, you find yourself right in the middle of Osaka’s energy. Crowds of visitors, bright signs, street musicians, and the constant flow of pedestrians create an atmosphere that often feels like a permanent celebration. Right in front of you stands the district’s most iconic image: the famous Glico Man sign, the running athlete with his arms raised, overlooking the canal since 1935 and now an unofficial symbol of the city. Each evening, about half an hour after sunset, the neon lights switch on and transform the entire area into a glowing scene reflected in the dark water of the canal. Visitors gather in the middle of the bridge to recreate the Glico Man pose, a small tourist ritual that has become almost unavoidable here. Below the bridge, cruise boats glide slowly along the canal, offering another perspective on the giant signs and the surrounding buildings. This is also where the famous “Curse of the Colonel” began. In 1985, the Hanshin Tigers, the region’s professional baseball team, finally won the national championship, and in Osaka the celebration quickly turned wild. Thousands of fans gathered on Ebisubashi and began jumping into the canal to celebrate. Supporters shouted the players’ names, and each time a name was called, someone who looked like that player would jump into the water. When the name of the team’s American star, Randy Bass, was shouted, the crowd tried to find someone who resembled him, but there was no blond, bearded fan in sight. Instead, they noticed a statue of Colonel Sanders, the mascot of KFC. Beard, light hair, American look… close enough. They grabbed the statue and threw it into the canal as if it were the player himself. The story quickly became legendary, because after that moment the Hanshin Tigers went eighteen years without winning another championship, and many fans began saying the statue had cursed the team. Whatever the truth, with its mix of traditions, humor, and a bit of excess, it’s easy to understand why this spot has become one of Osaka’s most famous landmarks.