SAPICA ( サピカ , Sapika ) is a rechargeable contactless smart card ticketing system for public transport in Sapporo , Japan . Sapporo City Transportation Bureau (SCTB) introduced the system from January 30, 2009. The name of the card means " Sap poro's IC ca rd". Sa' ( サッ ) is also the sound symbolic word for quickly pulling a card out and pi' ( ピッ ) is the equivalent of "beep". The card is issued by Sapporo Information Network Company ( 札幌総合情報センター株式会社 , Sapporo Sōgō Jōhō Sentā Kabushiki Gaisha ) , the third sector (half public) company of Sapporo City Government.
5-441: The integrated service with Kitaca , a smart card system by JR Hokkaidō , was initially considered, but they decided to introduce the different systems because of the technical and financial difficulties. The two operators initially hoped to start an integrated service, but as of February 2020 Sapica still can not be used on JR services. While SAPICA uses FeliCa NFC technology, just like Suica and Kitaca, SCTB intentionally uses
10-412: A different system code and encryption key to break compatibility, thus avoiding JR East licensing fees. From 2001 to 2004, Sapporo Municipal Subway experimented with the rollout of different smart card called S.M.A.P. Card ( S.M.A.P.カード , Sumappu Kādo ) , which was ultimately scrapped. As of its introduction on January 30, 2009, the card is usable on Sapporo Municipal Subway Lines, as well as on
15-580: 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. As of March 2024, 69 stations in
20-603: The Sapporo Streetcar , Hokkaido Chuo Bus , JR Hokkaido Bus and Jotetsu Buses. SAPICA can also be used as a payment card at participating stores and vending machines. Kitaca 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 ca rd of north ( 北 , kita ) ", while 北
25-655: The Sapporo-Asahikawa area, as well as 6 stations in the Hakodate area including unmanned stations, accept Kitaca. 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. In 2009, Kitaca became interchangeable with JR East 's Suica , including its use of electronic money functionality. Since late 2012,
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