Signs in Osaka

A walk around the Dotonbori area in Osaka is a feast for both the eyes and the stomach.  The Japanese word "Kuidaore" is rumored to have originated from this Osaka district and means "to ruin oneself by extravagance in food".  Not sure where start?  Large, helpful billboards and 3D signs offer larger than life suggestions for that next meal or perhaps even the next ten meals. 

The Glico Man.  Walk across Ebisubashi bridge for the best views of this popular Osaka photo op.  Never heard of Glico before?  They're the makers of Pocky, those tasty Japanese stick biscuits.

Kukuru is a chain of restaurants specializing in those delicious round morsels of octopus and batter called "takoyaki".

This large depiction of Pablo's famous cheese tarts hangs above the entrance to one of the first Pablo stores in Osaka to have a cafe place to eat upstairs.

The famous crab (kani) sign of Kani Doraku. All ten mechanized legs wave in the air beckoning travelers to try the food this restaurant specializes in.  

Some of the billboards may also be a little misleading.  When I took this picture, I assumed it was a dessert house, but a quick search on Google indicates that it is not...

This big guy is trying to lure the passing crowds into his restaurant (Kushikatsu Daruma) to try kushikatsu which is fried meat and veggies on a stick.

Amidst all of the food signs lives a very happy little golden pig in his shrine.

I'm not sure how good the food actually is, but this place serves chanko nabe (sumo style hot pot) and sumo-sized kushi katsu.

This place forgoes the bold over-sized caricatures for something a little more wistful and pretty. 

Four floors of gyoza, anyone?

Don't be fooled by the friendly adorable fugu (blowfish), they are poisonous if not prepared properly.

For some reason, all of the signs for the Kobe Beef chain feature Spiderman crawling around.

One more Kukuru sign for the road...