Mr.ちゅらさん · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsStreet & neighbourhood · Osaka
Kuidaore Taro
くいだおれ太郎
Kuidaore Taro is a clown mannequin in a striped suit and glasses who beats a drum in Dotonbori. He first appeared in 1950 in front of the restaurant Osaka Kuidaore and became one of the city's best-known faces.
The restaurant closed in 2008, but Taro moved to the Nakaza Kuidaore Building, which reopened after renovation in spring 2025 with a 6 m 3D billboard of him. Stop by for a photo on your Dotonbori walk.
What to see and do
The 1.68 m drumming mannequin at the building front.
A 6 m 3D billboard on the renovated Nakaza Kuidaore Building.
He stands among the canal street's other famous signs.
Good to know
- Mornings are less crowded for photos.
- Combine with the Glico sign and the canal walk nearby.
More art nearby
Mc681 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsNational Bunraku Theatre
Bunraku puppet theatre was born in Osaka and is on UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage list. Three puppeteers move each puppet together.
Tokumeigakarinoaoshima · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsOsaka Shochikuza
Kabuki and big stage shows on Dotonbori, behind a 1923 arched facade.
Mc681 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsDoguyasuji kitchen street
A covered street of chef’s tools, lanterns and the plastic food samples you see in every restaurant window.
Dotonbori signs
The Glico Running Man has glowed here since 1935, next to giant crabs and pufferfish. Advertising as folk art.