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ICOCA


The ICOCA (イコカ Ikoka?) card is a rechargeable contactless smart card used on JR West rail network in Japan. The card was launched on November 1, 2003 for usage on the Urban Network, which encompasses the major cities of Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe (Keihanshin). It is now usable on many other networks.

ICOCA stands for IC Operating CArd, but it is also a play on the phrase "Iko ka" (行こか?), an informal, Kansai dialect invitation meaning "Shall we go?" in Japanese (the standard, Tokyo dialect equivalent is "Ikō ka" (行こうか?)).

The mascots for the ICOCA program consist of a blue platypus (or duckbill) called Ico the Platypus (カモノハシのイコちゃん Kamonohashi no Iko-chan?) and Icota and Icomi the Platypuses (カモノハシのイコ太とイコ美 Kamonohashi no Ikota to Ikomi?).


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