Once you see her you’ll never unsee her… which sucks if you need to find your way around the Tsukuba Space Center.
When it comes to seeing visions in ordinary objects, like Jesus in a tortilla, the apparitions tend to be something deeply tied to the viewer’s culture. The devout often find figures of their faith, dragons often pop up in clouds and rivers of Asia, while Disney Princesses and Pokémon appear in the darnedest places to fans of the series.
When living in Japan, it’s hard not to be inundated with the doe-eyes faces of Japan’s moe mascot characters based on anime-stylized young women. They can be found everywhere from Self-Defense Force recruitment posters to temples to beer.
And now a moe character can even be found at the headquarters of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), although she might not appear right away, as these following images taken by Twitter user Tamago-san at the Tsukuba Space Center show.
▼ Do you see her in the image on the left?
JAXAの案内図が遠くから見たら萌キャラに見えたのはワイだけじゃないはず... pic.twitter.com/h0WCZa01FL
— タマゴさん (@86723nasogamat) November 8, 2017
At first glance this appears to be an ordinary map of the facility, but take a moment to look at the map in the intentionally blurred left image and she should reveal herself. I didn’t catch it at first, but now that I’ve seen her it’s impossible to see the regular map anymore. In fact even the enlarged image on the right sort of looks like her.
If you’re still having trouble, a lot of other Twitter users shared their interpretations of the JAXA map girl. It’s interesting to see the subtle differences in how people see her, and some have taken it to the next level creating fully-realized moe artwork of her.
https://twitter.com/higle_pso2/status/928204705121026048
ちょうどこんな感じのコメットさん pic.twitter.com/dqi79Gw1tX
— さつきふみたか@休みが欲しい (@kudryavkanoumie) November 8, 2017
こんな感じ? pic.twitter.com/ybd6AS2l4t
— せーご (@seigomonikon) November 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/Oo_ATARI_oO/status/929095116836421632こんな感じのロボっ娘に見えます。 pic.twitter.com/nGg96nnPyo
— まさこっこ (@niwa10riko) November 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/nekofriends3/status/928948433284579328うちの嫁に見えている景色はこうらしい。
— スパイクスピーゲル (@1967kenchan) November 10, 2017
#jaxa#筑波宇宙センター#構内案内図#萌えキャラ pic.twitter.com/CJrh0y4xoC
Surprisingly, JAXA has yet to create an official moe mascot for their organization. They’ve come close with an promotional anime for their Global Precipitation Measurement project and also have associated themselves with the popular manga Space Brothers, but no straight-up moefication has been blessed by the agency.
However, if there ever was a sign from the heavens to create one this would be it, so hopefully JAXA will get their priorities straight and put aside all their space doodads to get JAXA Visitor Map Girl off the ground.
Source, feature image: Twitter/@tamagosan32768

Japanese Twitter has its collective mind blown by “map of Europe” illusion
Oops they did it again! Japan removed from map for the second time by Olympic charity
Japan’s Ministry of Defense unleashes the power of “Moe Marketing”
Believe it or not, this isn’t a map of Japan (though it sort of is)
Universal Studios Japan staff help celebrate visitor’s birthday with disappearing spray art
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Japan now has potato chip-covered chocolate, and it’s amazing!【Taste test】
Japan’s new Pokémon donuts are here, so let’s eat Pikachu, Chansey, and some Poké Balls【Photos】
Japanese manhole covers become a hit with foreign tourists in off-the-beaten path Tokyo area
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Don’t forget that the best convenience store in northern Japan has branches farther south too
How to cook rice in a Ziploc container【SoraKitchen】
Japanese burger chain releases epic tofu burgers, designed by customers
Japanese fish that beat Pokémon Sapphire are retiring from video game streaming【Video】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
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 considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
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
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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
The entire Pokémon Red and Blue Kanto region map, built as a 3-D diorama, looks amazing【Photos】
Ryokan produces goods of its cute mascot proprietress, goes deep into deficit
Google Street View captures hilarious before-and-after of person cycling into a ditch 【Photos】
Cup Noodle now has cute cats and judgmental foxes waiting underneath its lids【Photos】
Real-life location of Your Name’s anime-only lake discovered, still holds a beautiful surprise
Comiket attendee finds a beautiful handmade anime bag, is surprised to discover its artist
Ticket machine at Japanese train station surprises everyone with its rudeness【Video】
Prefectural capital building in Japan has a moat, ready for mobs of invaders or zombies
Cute pet owl in Japan startles its owner with a dramatic transformation sequence
Japan reality edges closer to anime with Japan Railway’s VR-style humanoid robot
The anime girl English teacher textbook character that stole Japan’s heart has gotten a promotion
Leave a Reply