Map image display device, map image display method, and computer program

Map image display device (1) wherein: - a first display mode changing unit (43) displays at a prescribed timing an auxiliary image (67) in a specific area (66) of the map display area(65), and changes to a first display mode in which map data of a first target area (71) is read from the map data storage medium (12) and is displayed in the map display area excluding the specific area; - an operation receiving unit (44) receives operations from a user. Furthermore, when a prescribed operation is received, a second display mode changing unit (45): - reads from a storage medium the map data of an adjacent area (68,69,72) next to the first target area, on which a second target area is based, - removes the auxiliary image from display, and - changes to a second display mode in which the map image of the second target area is displayed in the map display area including the specific area.