What is Shiohigari?
My husband loves clam digging (shiohigari). Even before our son was born, we used to go clam digging every spring. In Japan, shiohigari is a typical springtime event, especially popular among families. Many families visit the beach together to enjoy digging for clams in the sand.
In some places, you can collect clams naturally and for free. However, most shiohigari spots are managed, and clams are actually scattered on the beach by staff. At these managed beaches, you usually need to pay an entrance fee.
Some locations even allow you to enjoy a BBQ right on the beach, making it an even more memorable experience!
At paid shiohigari sites, you can often rent the tools you need (like rakes, nets, and gloves) for an extra fee, so you can go light without bringing much gear. Alternatively, you can also find these tools at 100-yen shops or home centers around this season.
Our First Shiohigari Experience with Our Son
This year, our son turned one year old and can now walk. We took him clam digging for the first time!
Of course, he couldn’t dig clams yet, so I brought a scoop, a bucket, and a watering can for him — all from the 100-yen shop! He had so much fun just playing in the sand.
One thing I highly recommend is bringing swim diapers for young children. You can easily find them at drugstores during the spring and summer seasons, and they’re also useful for pool activities.
This time, we collected about 800 grams of clams in around two hours!
After we got home, we purged the clams (to remove sand) and made vongole pasta and steamed clams with sake.
Simple Recipe: Sake-Steamed Clams
Here’s a very easy and delicious way to enjoy the clams you catch:
Ingredients:
- 800g of fresh clams (asari)
- 100ml of sake (Japanese rice wine)
- 1 tablespoon of soy sauce (optional)
- 1 tablespoon of butter (optional)
- A few slices of ginger (optional)
Instructions:
- First, purge the clams by soaking them in salted water for a few hours to remove any sand.
- Place the clams in a large pan.
- Add the sake and cover the pan with a lid.
- Heat on medium until the clams open (about 5–7 minutes).
- Once the clams have opened, you can add soy sauce, butter, or ginger to taste.
- Serve immediately and enjoy while hot!
The flavor of the fresh clams and the aroma of sake make this dish so simple but incredibly satisfying.
It’s perfect for a relaxing family dinner after a fun day at the beach!
Final Thoughts
If you ever visit Japan in spring, I highly recommend trying shiohigari! It’s a wonderful seasonal tradition where you can enjoy nature, collect fresh clams, and spend quality time with family. Even if you don’t have any special equipment, many beaches offer rentals or you can easily find what you need at local shops. And after a fun day digging in the sand, you can enjoy delicious dishes made from your fresh catch.
Shiohigari is not just about finding clams — it’s about making memories together.
Thank you for reading about our family’s shiohigari adventure! I hope you get the chance to experience this unique part of Japanese spring culture too.
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