Japan’s sales tax went up on Monday from 5 to 8 percent.

To keep consumers spending, department stores are offering a range of promotions.

At Seibu department store in Tokyo, workers tempted shoppers with delicious Hokkaido crabs that are usually sold in March.

The store also put on sale so-called Cool Biz fashions for warmer weather that normally don’t hit the racks until later in the month.

Takashimaya department store debuted an unusual product line.

The store is selling solid gold statues of the famous action hero Ultraman.

The largest statue goes for more than 100,000 dollars.

Amid fears of closed wallets after the tax hike, stores are trying to lure the whole family.