jr hokkaido stored value / prepaid card

from http://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/kitaca/02area.html, it seems like (i dont read japanese, just guess) the kitaca card can be used for travel to otaru only?

i am travelling to places beyond otaru (e.g. niki) and also furano/biei/bibaushi, shin-sapporo and chitose. is there a JR prepaid/stored value card that can be use by tourist. also, whether any unused balance amount can be refunded?

That's right. Westwards along the Hakodate Line, the Kitaca can be used only as far as Otaru. If you travel beyond Otaru, you should use regular tickets and not the prepaid card.

i am travelling to places beyond otaru (e.g. niki) and also furano/biei/bibaushi, shin-sapporo and chitose. is there a JR prepaid/stored value card that can be use by tourist.

Theoretically, there is the Orange Card magnetic prepaid card, but I think it is easier to buy tickets as you go.

thanks, uji. i guess i have to buy single ticket to/from niki. i prefer stored card, becos i noted some stations are un-manned station.

how about, furano/biei/bibaushi? can kitaca be use for sapporo-asahikawa-furano/biei/bibaushi?

how about, furano/biei/bibaushi? can kitaca be use for sapporo-asahikawa-furano/biei/bibaushi?

No, Kitaca cannot be used in the Asahikawa/Furano region. Only around greater Sapporo.