| SUGOCA | |
| Location: | Usable nationwide Distributed in Kyushu |
| Launched: | March 1, 2009 |
| Technology1: | FeliCa technology by Sony |
| Service 1: | JR Kyushu |
| Service 3: | Fukuoka City Subway |
| Service 4: | Kitakyushu Monorail |
| Service 5: | Valid areas of Kitaca, PASMO, Suica, manaca, toica, ICOCA, PiTaPa, Hayakaken, nimoca |
| Operator: | Kyushu Railway Company |
| Manager: | Kyushu Railway Company |
| Currency: | Japanese yen |
| Stored Value: | Pay as you go |
| Automatic Recharge: | None |
| Unlimited Use: | None (Other non-related unlimited use passes available) |
| Sales Location1: | Card vending machines at stations |
| Sales Location2: | Train information counters |
| Sales Location3: | Ticket counters |
| Variant 1: | SUGOCA 乗車券 (Jōshaken) – rechargeable card |
| Variant 2: | SUGOCA定期券 (Teikiken) – commuter pass |
| Variant 3: | SUGOCAエクセルパス (Excel Pass) – non-reserved seats of limited express |
| Variant 4: | SUGOMON Pass |
is a Japanese rechargeable contactless smart card ticketing system for public transport in and around Fukuoka Prefecture. The Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) introduced the system on March 1, 2009. The name is an acronym of "Smart Urban GOing CArd", while in the local Kyūshū dialect means "great". Like other electronic fare collection systems in Japan, the card uses RFID technology developed by Sony Corporation, known as FeliCa. American graphic artist Rodney Alan Greenblat designed its official mascot, a frog with a clock.
On March 13, 2010, SUGOCA began interoperation with Nishitetsu's nimoca, Fukuoka City Transportation Bureau's Hayakaken, and JR East's Suica.[1] On March 5, 2011, in a reciprocal agreement with JR Central and JR West, SUGOCA became usable in the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto, Okayama-Hiroshima and Nagoya metropolitan areas.[2] In 2013, interoperation was extended country-wide, and SUGOCA became usable in all major cities across Japan as part of the Nationwide Mutual Usage Service.[3]
SUGOCA was implemented on March 1, 2009, in 124 JR stations in Fukuoka Prefecture, mainly in the Fukuoka-Kitakyūshū area. As of 2022 it's usable in a total of 124 stations of below lines.
(Fukuhoku Yutaka Line, Wakamatsu Line): Wakamatsu to Keisen
Kumamoto to Higo-Ōzu, and Nakahanda to Ōita
Mojikō to Yatsushiro, and Sendai to Kagoshima (the currently whole line)
Karatsu to Nishi-Karatsu
Kurume to Zendōji, and Mukainoharu to Ōita
the whole line
Tosu to Saga, and Isahaya to Nagasaki (includes Nagayo branch)
Nishi-Kokura to Kōzaki, Sadowara to Tano, and Kokubu to Kagoshima (except for Ryūgamizu)
Isahaya to Takematsu
Shimonoseki to Moji (the whole line of JR Kyushu operation)
There are currently three types of cards available. The is available as either an unregistered or registered card (allowing riders' cards to be reissued if lost). The second is the, which requires registration. The third is which can be used for non-reserved seats of limited express trains.
Other SUGOCA variants and designs exist, such as the Mono SUGOCA, functionally identical to the normal SUGOCA but featuring a design of the Kitakyushu Monorail's Kokura Station. It was issued starting October 1, 2015.[5]
On January 23, 2020, JR Kyushu unveiled SUGOMON Pass, a SUGOCA variant designed for use by tourists to Japan. The card's design features Kumamon, the official mascot of Kumamoto. Unlike JR East's similar Welcome Suica for tourists, SUGOMON Pass has no expiry date and is refundable with a 220 handling fee.[6]
SUGOCA's functionality includes electronic money and can be used at stores in Fukuoka Prefecture and at vending machines and convenience stores nationwide.
Part of the Nationwide Mutual Usage Service, SUGOCA is usable on public transportation across Japan.