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
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
All-you-can-eat lunch buffet for just 850 yen right next to Shinjuku Station
Tokyo’s first gourmet choco banana specialty shop is worth stopping in Harajuku for
Stay in a hotel in Japan where you can see a UFO
Nintendo’s Kirby zooms into Japanese convenience stores Family Mart’s Super Satisfied Fest
Never forget that Mister Donut’s super-simple ramen is actually very hard to beat
Package delivery in Japan may be delayed due to bear risks
Haunted hospital near Mt Fuji re-opens after renovation at Fuji-Q Highland, and it’s terrifying
The world’s biggest Muji store opened in Hiroshima, and we went to check it out!
Otaku woman in Japan finds herself target of strange fake shoplifting scam, netizens urge caution
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Step into Japanese culture with Converse’s new Japan-exclusive shoes featuring gods, sushi style
New Kyoto experience package lets you film epic samurai battles with your friends
Sanrio and Sonic the Hedgehog characters become fast friends with new plushie collection
Real takoyaki is almost impossible to find in Tokyo, but this place has it, our hardliner says
Top Japanese baby names for 2025 feature flowers, colors, and a first-time-ever favorite for girls
Studio Ghibli releases new Ursula’s blanket from Kiki’s Delivery Service
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys to brighten your days
JR Hokkaido train driver in trouble for reading book about trains on stopped train
Studio Ghibli releases new anime tea and mugs in Japan
Tokyo bento boxed lunch shop charges different prices depending on how heavy your laptop is
Studio Ghibli anime stoles are here to keep you warm with a range of famous characters
Japanese hotel chain’s new service: A bed and pajamas for otaku travelers’ plushies
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
Totoro fountain figurine recreates the sights and sounds of one of anime’s most memorable scenes
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas Frappuccino and holiday drinks for 2025
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
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
Cat in Japan finds the perfect shrine to take shelter from the rain at
Leave a Reply