Kitaca

Kitaca
Normal unregistered Kitaca (on top) and the debut commemorative Kitaca (on bottom)
LocationUsable nationwide
Distributed in Hokkaido
LaunchedOctober 25, 2008 (15 years ago)
OperatorHokkaido Railway Company
ManagerHokkaido Railway Company
CurrencyJapanese yen
Stored-valuePay as you go
Auto rechargeNone
Unlimited useNone (Other non-related unlimited use passes available)
Validity
Websitewww.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ticket/kitaca/index.html
Ticket gates with Kitaca readers at Hassamu-Chūō Station, Sapporo

Kitaca (キタカ, Kitaka) is a rechargeable contactless smart card ticketing system for public transport in Sapporo, Japan. Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) introduced the system from October 25, 2008. Its name means "the card of north (北, kita)", while 北 is also the first character of Hokkaidō (北海道). Like other electronic fare collection systems in Japan, the card uses RFID technology developed by Sony corporation known as FeliCa. The card has an official mascot of Ezo momonga (Pteromys volans orii), a kind of flying squirrel found in Hokkaidō. The mascot is designed by Sora, an illustrator who lives in Sapporo.[1]

Usable area

As of March 2024, 69 stations in the Sapporo-Asahikawa area, as well as 6 stations in the Hakodate area including unmanned stations, accept Kitaca.[2]

Types of cards

  • Unregistered Kitaca
  • Registered Kitaca: Requires registration. The card can be reissued when lost.
  • Kitaca commuter pass: Requires registration.

Credit card function is also considered. North Pacific Bank, the largest local bank of Hokkaido, considers to include Kitaca's functions to its credit card Clover. A plan to introduce an Osaifu-Keitai compliant mobile payment system was cancelled due to the cost. [3]

Integration

Interoperation map

In 2009, Kitaca became interchangeable with JR East's Suica, including its use of electronic money functionality.[4] Since late 2012, the card can also be used in lieu of a SAPICA, a smart card system introduced in 2009 by the Sapporo City Transportation Bureau.[5]

In 2013, interoperation was extended country-wide, and Kitaca became usable in all major cities across Japan as part of the Nationwide Mutual Usage Service.[6][7]

References

  1. ^ (in Japanese) 北のカード「Kitaca」vol.4〜「エゾモモンガ」の生みの親〜 Archived 2008-10-09 at the Wayback Machine (Northern card "Kitaca" vol.4, the crator of the "Ezo momonga"), from Satsueki.jp, retrieved on October 26, 2008.
  2. ^ JR Hokkaido. "Usable Area". Retrieved 2022-10-19.
  3. ^ Hokkaidō Shimbun, October 16 2008
  4. ^ (in Japanese) Official press release by JR Hokkaidō, December 12 2007.
  5. ^ (in Japanese) JR北海道のICカード乗車券「Kitaca」が10月25日にスタート (JR Hokkaidō's IC card ticket "Kitaca" starts on October 25) by BB Watch, October 25 2008.
  6. ^ Ito, Etsuro (October 2013). "Launch of Nationwide Interoperable Transport System IC Cards" (PDF). East Japan Railway Culture Foundation. Japan Railway & Transport Review. pp. 6–15. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  7. ^ "交通系ICカードの普及・利便性拡大に向けて" (PDF). MLIT. Retrieved 2022-10-19.