The 6th Generation "Glico Sign" LEDs Boost Its Visibility Even Further!

	 

 

The sixth iteration of the "Glico Sign," a landmark in Osaka's Minami district and famous both domestically and internationally, was completed, with its lighting ceremony held on October 23rd. The first Glico neon tower stood in this location in 1935, instantly becoming an Osaka icon. After evolving through various designs and ideas, the fifth-generation sign began lighting in 1998. The fifth generation was designated an "Osaka City Designated Landscape Feature" in April 2003. This designation, made by the Mayor of Osaka, recognizes buildings and structures cherished by Osaka citizens and considered outstanding in terms of landscape. Other selections include historical structures like Osaka Castle's main tower and Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine.

The fifth generation was decommissioned this August to pass the baton to the next generation. During the construction period for the sixth generation, actress Haruka Ayase served as a stand-in for the familiar symbol mark (Goal-in Mark) depicting a track athlete crossing the finish line with a victory salute, becoming a topic of conversation.

	 		 
From the neon-tube-based fifth generation, through Ayase's stand-in role, to the LED-utilizing sixth generation

 

 

 

 

For the lighting ceremony, a floating stage was set up on the Dotonbori River directly beneath the sign. The opening featured a celebratory performance by the orchestra band "A Hundred Birds" to mark its completion.

Katsuhisa Ezaki, President of Ezaki Glico, stated, "We hope you'll also notice that the sixth-generation sign utilizes blue LED technology instead of the previous neon. We hope it will continue to be cherished and loved by everyone." Ayase also attended the ceremony. Together with Executive Managing Director Etsuro Ezaki and the Chairman of the Dotonbori Shopping District Association, she pressed the illumination button, revealing the vibrant sign. Cheers erupted from passersby amidst the lively confetti shower.

Centered around the goal-in mark, the sign features LED images of famous landmarks from Japan and abroad—Osaka Castle, Tsutenkaku Tower, Mount Fuji, the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben—scrolling across its background. Measuring 20 meters high and approximately 10 meters wide, the sign uses about 140,000 LED chips and will be illuminated daily from 6:00 PM to midnight. The renewal is expected to make it an even more prominent attraction.