When Does the Rakuten Books Shopping Marathon 2x Points Campaign Run? Patterns and Conditions

Good morning, this is まさきん.

Rakuten Books is running a point-up campaign timed with Rakuten Ichiba’s Shopping Marathon. When I lined up the official pages from past rounds, I found it had been held almost every time, with nearly the same conditions. Below I sort out this round’s conditions and when the campaign tends to come around.

This information is current as of publication. Please check the official website for the latest conditions.

What kind of campaign this is

This is a bonus that Rakuten Books adds on its own during Rakuten Ichiba’s Shopping Marathon. You qualify by entering the campaign and spending ¥5,000 or more (tax included) in one order.

The headline says “2x points,” but that is the total multiplier including regular points. It works as the regular 1x plus a 1x campaign bonus.

If you use an eligible Rakuten Mobile plan, the campaign portion grows by another 1x, for 3x in total.

It is separate from the shop-hopping bonus and SPU. So it may pay off most for people who buy several books at once on Rakuten Books during the Marathon.

Details of this round

Here are this round’s conditions in a table.

Entry opened two days before the point-up period. The page says the order of entry and purchase does not matter.

However, the entry period will not be extended. If you plan to enter after buying, you need to finish by the deadline of October 17 (Sat) 09:59.

When the campaign is usually held

This is the part I most wanted to organize. I lined up past Rakuten Books campaign pages that I could confirm.

In every round, the point-up period matched Rakuten Ichiba’s Shopping Marathon exactly. August had two Marathons, and the campaign ran in both.

Rakuten Ichiba’s Shopping Marathon is held one to three times a month, except in December. It often starts at 20:00 around the 4th, 9th, 14th, 19th, or 24th.

So it seems reasonable to expect this Rakuten Books campaign to follow the same rhythm. That said, I could only confirm the rounds in the table above. It is not guaranteed to run in every round.

Patterns from past rounds

Looking at the table, I noticed a few things in common.

First, entry opens at 10:00 one or two days before the point-up period. When a Marathon is announced, it may help to check the Rakuten Books page early.

Second, the conditions barely change. “¥5,000 or more (tax incl.) in one order” and “bonus capped at 1,000 points” were the same in every round I checked.

Third, the points arrive quite late. The late-August 2025 round said late October, and the September round said late November. This round says late December.

A rough guide is late in the month, about two months after the campaign. In many rounds, the expiry was set around the 20th of the month after the award.

Eligible and ineligible items

Eligibility depends on the “shipping estimate” shown on each product page. Knowing how to read it saves confusion.

Pre-orders being excluded is a point to watch. Even if you pre-order a new release, it does not count toward the ¥5,000.

On the other hand, game software and accessories are eligible. Toys are listed as eligible too. It could be useful when buying children’s toys along with books.

How to join

The steps are simple.

1. Enter from the entry page
2. During the point-up period, place a single order of ¥5,000 or more (tax incl.) on Rakuten Books
3. Check that your cart does not include pre-orders or e-books
4. If you want the extra 1x from Rakuten Mobile, check your plan status

The ¥5,000 is judged on the amount before coupons. The page says the portion paid with points also counts.

Orders from PC, smartphone, or the Rakuten Books app are all eligible.

How the rewards and cap work

Since the cap is 1,000 points, let me calculate when you hit the ceiling.

If the campaign portion is 1x, you reach the cap at about ¥100,000 in purchases. With Rakuten Mobile, the campaign portion is 2x, so you reach it at about ¥50,000.

For ordinary book shopping, you may rarely need to worry about the cap. For example, a ¥5,000 order earns about 50 campaign points.

Looking at the numbers alone, it is not a large amount. Still, I think the good part is that it stacks with shop-hopping and SPU.

Coupon handling is a little tricky too. Regular points are based on the discounted amount, while campaign points are based on the amount before the discount.

Extra 1x for Rakuten Mobile users

The eligible plans are “Rakuten Saikyo Plan” (including the Data Type) and “Rakuten Saikyo U-NEXT.” Users of these plans get an extra 1x.

If you have not signed up yet, you can still qualify by applying before the deadline. New applications and switching from another carrier both count. Moving from a docomo-network or au-network plan is also included.

This round’s deadline is October 31, 2026 (Sat) 23:59 for both application and start of service. In past rounds as well, the deadline was the end of the campaign month.

You also need to apply with your Rakuten ID, using the same ID as your entry.

You can also sign up for Rakuten Mobile through my referral. Switching carriers earns up to 14,000 points, so it may be worth considering together with the Marathon bonus.

Combining with other offers

This campaign stacks with other Shopping Marathon offers. The official page says “up to 30.5x points.”

The maximum figure assumes you meet every condition. Your actual multiplier depends on how many shops you visit and your SPU status.

The page also lists an offer of 4x points with Rakuten Card on days ending in 5 or 0. October 15, within this round, is one of those days.

I have also covered the basics of the Marathon in my guide to earning Rakuten Points.

Timing your bulk purchases

Knowing the pattern may change how you buy books.

For books you are in no hurry to read, one option is to leave them in your cart and wait for the Marathon. It runs one to three times a month, so the wait is not long.

On the other hand, the points are awarded about two months later. The expiry is also short, around the 20th of the following month, so it is best to decide how to use them as soon as they arrive.

For example, think of buying several children’s books or study guides together. With that kind of purchase, the ¥5,000 condition is easy to reach.

Who it suits and who it does not

It seems to suit people who often buy print books, CDs, or DVDs on Rakuten Books. If you order in bulk for each Marathon, you can get the bonus every time.

It also pairs well with Rakuten Mobile users. The campaign portion doubles, so the same purchase earns more.

On the other hand, it does not suit people who mainly read e-books. Rakuten Kobo purchases are excluded.

It may also be less useful for people who mostly pre-order new releases. Pre-orders do not count toward the ¥5,000.

Common mistakes and pitfalls

Here are some common mistakes.

The first is splitting your order. The condition is “¥5,000 or more in one order,” so splitting it into ¥3,000 and ¥2,000 does not qualify.

The second is thinking pre-orders count toward the total. Check that your order exceeds ¥5,000 without the pre-order items.

The third is missing the entry deadline. The order does not matter, but the deadline was the same as the end of the point-up period.

The fourth is forgetting to use the points you receive. They are limited-time points, so they disappear after the expiry date.

What to check before you start

• Have you entered (the deadline is the same as the end of the point-up period)
• Is a single order ¥5,000 or more including tax
• Does your cart include pre-orders, e-books, download versions, or game consoles
• If you want the extra 1x from Rakuten Mobile, can your service start by the end of the month
• Are you counting the number of shops for shop-hopping
• Have you decided how to use the points you will receive

Frequently asked questions

Q. Is this campaign held every month?

In the rounds I could check, it was held for each Shopping Marathon. The Shopping Marathon itself runs one to three times a month except in December. However, the official pages do not say it will always be held.

Q. When is the next round likely?

It tends to follow the Shopping Marathon schedule. The Marathon often starts at 20:00 around the 4th, 9th, 14th, 19th, or 24th. Entry opened at 10:00 one or two days earlier.

Q. Do I have to enter before buying?

The official page says the order of entry and purchase does not matter. However, the entry period will not be extended. You are fine as long as you enter by the deadline.

Q. Are e-books eligible?

No. Rakuten Kobo e-books and download products are excluded.

Q. Is the ¥5,000 judged after coupons?

It is judged on the amount before coupons. The portion paid with points also counts.

Q. When will I receive the points?

Regular points arrive 20 days after the order. In this round, campaign points will be awarded in late December 2026.

Q. Can I join without Rakuten Mobile?

Yes. The Rakuten Mobile condition only affects the extra 1x.

Q. Will I reach the 1,000-point cap quickly?

With a 1x campaign portion, you reach the cap at about ¥100,000. With the 2x for Rakuten Mobile users, it is about ¥50,000. Everyday book shopping may rarely reach it.

Official sources I referred to

• Rakuten Books Shopping Marathon point-up campaign (from October 14, 2026)
• Rakuten Books Shopping Marathon (from September 19, 2025, past round)
• Rakuten Books Shopping Marathon (from August 24, 2025, past round)
• Rakuten Books Shopping Marathon (from August 4, 2025, past round)
• Rakuten Books Shopping Marathon (from July 4, 2025, past round)

Summary

I sorted out the Rakuten Books Shopping Marathon campaign by comparing it with past rounds.

The conditions are nearly the same every time, and it tends to run alongside the Marathon schedule. For books that can wait, keeping them in your cart until the next Marathon may be a good idea.

Conditions and periods can change from round to round, so please take a look at the official page before you buy.

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