June 17, 2014

KitKat Candy Bars as Transit Passes in Japan


KitKat Decorated Train Covered in Cherry Blossoms Image Courtesy Neslte

Using a KitKat candy bar as transit fare? Nestle came up with the idea after finding out that the bars were being traded in the spirit of encouragement. Beginning this month, riders in Northern Japan can begin using KitKat bars as tickets to ride the train in an effort to rejuvenate tourism in areas devastated by the tsunami and earthquakes from a few years ago.

KitKat Bars as Ticket Fare
Image Courtesy Nestle

From Nestle press release:

In 2011, after the tsunami destroyed large areas of the Sanriku region including the railway network, Nestlé discovered that the reconstruction team working on the railway had received KitKat products as a form of encouragement.

KitKat then started working with the Sanriku railway, donating 20 yen per bar to the rebuilding project. KitKat also decorated two trains and two train stations with paintings of cherry blossoms – symbols of hope in Japanese culture.