Ebisu Bridge, Osaka

Here we are at Ebisu Bridge, stretching across the Dotonbori River right in the middle of Osaka’s action. This short crossing links Shinsaibashi-suji with Ebisubashi-suji, two streets that rarely sleep and never really slow down. Locals also know it by a more playful nickname, Hikkake-bashi, or “pick-up bridge,” which already tells you this has long been a place to see and be seen.

For visitors, Ebisu Bridge is less about getting from one side to the other and more about stopping in the middle. The southwest side is the clear favorite, thanks to the oversized Glico running man flashing across the skyline. If you’ve seen a photo of Osaka at night, chances are it was taken right here, with that sign glowing confidently in the background.

The bridge is reserved for pedestrians only, which means no engines, no horns, and no rushing traffic pushing you along. Instead, you’re free to slow your pace, look around, and take it all in. Subtle curved spaces along the sides let you step out of the main flow, making room for photos of towering signboards, dense façades, and the canal slicing through downtown Osaka like a stage set.

Although the bridge feels very much part of modern Osaka, it has been reinvented more than once. The current structure dates to 2007 and was designed by CTI Engineering as part of the wider Dotonbori River redevelopment. Before that, this spot saw a steel bridge built in 1878, followed by a reinforced concrete arched bridge completed in 1925. Different materials, different eras—same role as a front-row seat to the city.

So, don’t hurry crossing it. Pause, look up, look around, and let Osaka perform for you. On Ebisu Bridge, the city doesn’t just pass by—it puts on a show!