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
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Tokaido Lumière Express: Stay overnight inside the Shinkansen from Osaka to Tokyo
McDonald’s Japan reveals exclusive new Tsukimi moon viewing collection for 2026
Godiva Japan hops into tsukimi season with bunny and moon-themed chocolate assortments
Ministop brings bulked up Okinawan-style rice balls to mainland Japan for one week only
Nike x One Piece collection brings Devil Fruits to sneakers and streetwear in Japan
Nephew of Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki serves up Totoro Shaved Ice in Tokyo
Domino’s puts a new spin on moon viewing with Tsukimi dango-inspired tarts in Japan
Starbucks Japan adds new Customisation Bar to stores, with free ways to hack your food and drink orders
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
We recommend not buying one pack of Japan’s new convenience store corn soup-flavor fried chicken
Police in Japan looking for who’s responsible for dumping 80 loaves of bread on side of road [Video]
Japan’s double-decker portable rice cooker/bento maker is better than ever with new version
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
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
A team of fish in Japan has beaten Pokémon Sapphire【Video】