Hamaguri clams are a welcome herald of spring. Known as the hard clam or common orient clam, hamaguri are typically found along Japanese coastlines and are in season from February to April.

Remnants of hamaguri shells have been unearthed from ancient shell mounds, suggesting they were part of the human diet in Japan thousands of years ago.

Each shell is unique in size and shape: only the matching halves of a particular clam fit together perfectly, and so hamaguri are considered an auspicious symbol of marital harmony and happiness. It is therefore customary to eat hamaguri in clear soup on festive occasions such as weddings and during the Hina Matsuri doll festival, also called Girls’ Day, in March.

Hamaguri are highly nutritious and rich in minerals, including calcium, iron, and taurine (amino sulfonic acid). Though often eaten in soup, these clams are also grilled, steamed with sake or simmered in soy sauce, mirin and sake to make nihamaguri, a classic topping on Edo-style sushi.