Manaca

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manaca
LocationUsable nationwide
Distributed in the Greater Nagoya Area
LaunchedFebruary 11, 2011
Technology
ManagerTransportation Bureau City of Nagoya & Meitetsu
CurrencyJapanese yen (¥20,000 maximum load)
Stored-valuePay as you go
Credit expiryNone[1]
Retailed
Websitewww.kotsu.city.nagoya.jp/en/pc/manaca/
manaca.meitetsu.co.jp
How to use Manaca in a ticket gate

Manaca, stylized in lowercase as manaca (マナカ, Manaka) is a rechargeable contactless smart card used in Nagoya, Japan and the surrounding area in Aichi Prefecture. It launched on February 11, 2011, replacing the Tranpass magnetic fare card system. Since 2013, it has been part of Japan's Nationwide Mutual Usage Service, allowing it to be used in all major cities across the country.[2][3]

Etymology[edit]

Balloons used to celebrate Manaca's launch

The name comes from the Japanese word mannaka (真ん中), meaning "center", because Nagoya is roughly in the center of Japan, and because it claims to be a central part of your lifestyle.[4] The card is administered by both the City of Nagoya Transportation Bureau and MIC, a subsidiary of Meitetsu; while MIC typically stylizes the name in romaji as "manaca", the City often writes it in katakana.

Usage[edit]

Manaca has a feature set similar to other prepaid IC Cards used across the country. It provides a convenient method of payment for train and bus fares while also being accepted as payment at some shops, restaurants, and vending machines.[5][6]

Manaca can be purchased from ticket machines located in city subway, city bus, and Meitetsu bus and train stations, and are available in both registered and unregistered form. Registered cards require the buyer to provide their name, date of birth, sex, and phone number, but can be replaced if lost or stolen. A registered card is also required in order to purchase a commuter pass. When a new or replacement card is issued, a 500 yen deposit is required, along with a minimum charge of an additional 500 yen. The deposit is refundable if the card is returned. Credit can be added to an existing card inserting it into a compatible credit terminal at any station, choosing the amount to add, and inserting bills or coins.[7]

Points[edit]

There are two kinds of point systems for Manaca: mileage points and Tamarun points. The point systems vary depending on the card's maker, either MIC or the Nagoya Transportation Development Organization. The maker of the card is printed on the back of the card in the bottom left.

All cards accumulate mileage points whereas MIC cards can, when registered, also accumulate Tamarun points.

Mileage points are accumulated from spending money stored on the Manaca as transportation fare, such as from riding the subway or non-JR trains. These points are calculated each month and are sent to the "point center" every month on the 10th, they are not automatically credited to the card. In order to use them as fare, they must be transferred to the card, which can be done at a charging station, ticket machine or ticket window.[8] Despite interoperability with JR Central's TOICA service, points cannot be used for JR train fare and are not accumulated by using JR services.[9]

However, cards issued by MIC, once registered online, can also accumulate Tamarun points through purchases paid for with the card at participating vendors. Once acquired, Tamarun points can be used at these vendors to make purchases of goods, but unlike mileage points, these points cannot automatically be used as transportation fare.[10]

Points are also preserved when a registered card is replaced due to loss or theft.

Discounts[edit]

When making the following transfers within 90 minutes using a single Manaca, an 80 yen discount is applied:[7]

  • City bus ↔ City bus
  • City bus ↔ Subway
  • City bus ↔ Aonami line
  • Subway ↔ Aonami line
  • City bus ↔ Yutorito Line Raised Zone (Ozone - Obata Ryokuchi)
  • Subway ↔ Yutorito Line Raised Zone (Ozone - Obata Ryokuchi)

Interoperation[edit]

Interoperation map

As of March 23, 2013, Manaca began interoperability with nine other major Japanese IC cards as part of Japan's Nationwide Mutual Usage Service, allowing it to be used nationwide.[3] In Nagoya City, it can be used on the following transportation systems:[5][11][12]

It can also be used on other transportation systems across Aichi Prefecture, including the Aichi Loop Line (Aikan) and Toyohashi Railroad.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "利用方法について". Transportation Bureau City of Nagoya (in Japanese). Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ a b "Prepaid IC Cards in Japan". Retrieved May 15, 2013.
  4. ^ ICカード乗車券の名称とデザインを決定しました [Name and Design of Passenger's Smart Card has been Decided] (in Japanese). Nagoya Railroad. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  5. ^ a b "ICカード「マナカ(manaca)」のサービス開始日について" [Concerning the Start of Manaca Smart Card Service] (in Japanese). Nagoya City Bureau of Transportation. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  6. ^ "manaca(マナカ)とは" [Manaca] (in Japanese). E-Money Japan. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  7. ^ a b "Manaca|English|名古屋市交通局". City of Nagoya Transportation Bureau. Retrieved May 15, 2013.
  8. ^ "manacaマイレージポイント" (in Japanese).
  9. ^ "TOICAとの相互利用" (in Japanese). Retrieved April 23, 2012.
  10. ^ 名鉄たまルン (in Japanese). Retrieved April 23, 2012.
  11. ^ "ICカード《manaca》の概要~当社の展開構想~" [Outline of This Company's Conception for Development of the Manaca Smart Card] (in Japanese). Nagoya Railroad. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  12. ^ "manaca(マナカ)とTOICAの乗車券機能の相互利用サービスを平成24年4月21日(土)に開始します" (in Japanese). Nagoya Railroad. December 22, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2012.

External links[edit]