So does this mean you have to do a headstand to insert your face into the comic panel?
If you’ve ever travelled around Japan, you might have noticed that “your face here” cut-out boards are hugely popular at tourist sites. These large panels often depict a local scene or character, and have one or more oval cut-outs in them for tourists to poke their heads into, so they can insert themselves into the scene in a comical way, creating a great photographic memento of their trip to the area.
It’s usually a straightforward procedure, with the oval cutouts positioned at different heights so adults and children can easily place their faces into them, but one traveller in Japan recently came across a more complicated design that has people everywhere wondering how it’s meant to be used.
Located at the Ashigara Service Area road-stop station on the Tomei Expressway in Shizuoka Prefecture, this signboard features a painted scene of Mt Fuji, which can be seen in all its panoramic beauty from the high vantage point of the area. Twitter user @chip_potekko shared a photo of it online recently, saying she received it with a message saying, “I don’t understand this cut-out board”.
「顔のハメ方がわからない」というメッセージとともに送られてきた足柄PAの顔ハメ看板です。お納めください。 pic.twitter.com/xLICs6b0dk
— ちぷたそ(井口エリ) (@chip_potekko) April 15, 2017
In the picture, a horned, red-bodied demon holds a human by the legs, with the person dangling upside-down in the ogre’s giant hand. The person’s face is replaced by a cut-out oval, where visitors would normally insert their head into. The question with this one is: how do you put your face in the hole so that it’s upside-down, like it should be in the picture?
Twitter users were quick to offer up creative solutions to the quandary, with some suggesting a headstand or a “bridge” pose might be in order, while others commented that children would be at the right height to easily turn their faces into it diagonally by resting their chin on their hand behind the scene. According to @chip_potekko, the latter suggestion is what children have been seen doing, with mixed results.
▼ Perhaps a spot of yoga might be in order?
— SUNSHINE (@SuperSunshine21) April 15, 2017
Finally, one clever Twitter user gave everyone the sensible answer they were looking for.
▼ If you simply bend over and put your head between your legs, you’ll get the correct effect!
たぶん股ぐらから顔を出すのだと pic.twitter.com/b3g7VAz69x
— Switoo (@MicroSwitoo) April 15, 2017
The only thing is, you’ll probably need to have the lithe body of a child to get your head to appear in such a low position. Otherwise there’s a good chance of you knocking the whole thing over with your bottom, leaving you showing off your derriere to a crowd of fascinated onlookers!
Source: Togech
Featured image: Twitter/@chip_potekko

Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We try an unusual buffet of dishes made from wild game at a roadside stop in Chiba
Japan’s Poképark Kanto Pokémon theme park area shows first attraction photos
New KitKat pizzas are coming to Pizza Hut Japan
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We try an unusual buffet of dishes made from wild game at a roadside stop in Chiba
Japan’s Poképark Kanto Pokémon theme park area shows first attraction photos
New KitKat pizzas are coming to Pizza Hut Japan
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Japan may finally abolish law that bans women only from remarrying soon after divorce
What’s the deal with akebi, the perfectly purple, alien-like fruit that’s in season now in Japan?
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Japan may finally abolish law that bans women only from remarrying soon after divorce
What’s the deal with akebi, the perfectly purple, alien-like fruit that’s in season now in Japan?
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
Snoopy Museum scheduled to open in Tokyo’s Roppongi
Experience feel of animal boobs, sip penguin-humping cocoa to your heart’s content at Tokyo aquarium
Man arrested for violating Japan’s anti-dueling law in downtown Tokyo
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
You can now visit a recreation of Evangelion’s Tokyo-3 and live there in miniature form in【Pics】
Site of the worst bear attack in Japanese history is a chilling place to visit
Fewer ramen restaurants declare bankruptcy in Japan for first time in several years
Leave a Reply