Featured image of post Strategy to Maximize Rewards in Rakuten's Shopping MarathonFeatured image of post Strategy to Maximize Rewards in Rakuten's Shopping Marathon

Strategy to Maximize Rewards in Rakuten's Shopping Marathon

The “Shopping Marathon” (お買い物マラソン) is a monthly recurring sale on Rakuten Ichiba. By buying items across multiple storefronts, you scale your reward multiplier up to 10x+. We show you how to maximize points during these events.

Understanding Shop Cross-Buying (ショップ買いまわり)

Every purchase of 1,000 JPY (tax-incl.) or more at a distinct store increases your points multiplier across all purchases made during the marathon.

  • 1 Store: 1x
  • 2 Stores: 2x (+1%)
  • 10+ Stores: 10x (+9%)

Pro Strategies to Maximize Yields

1. Purchase on “5 and 0 Days”

During the marathon, execute payments on days ending in 5 or 0 (5th, 10th, etc.) using your Rakuten Card for an extra point multiplier.

2. Include “Furusato Tax” Donations

Each municipality donation on Rakuten counts as a separate store. This is the single most efficient way to climb the shop multiplier tiers.

3. Buy 1,000 JPY Shipping-Free Staples

To clear remaining tiers, purchase 1,000 JPY items (free-shipping towels, snacks, etc.) to boost the multiplier across your larger cart items.