Spring Tradition: Razor Clam Digging [Part 2] A Reference Guide to Clamming.

👇Continuing from last time.

■A Small Battle

When you pour salt into a small hole on the sandy beach, a razor clam pops out.
You grab it with your fingers and pull it out.

If there were a factory like this, I would definitely want to work there; it's simple, yet super fun.

While I was in the middle of a serious tug-of-war with the razor clam right in front of me, another one appeared from a hole a little further away.

It was the hole I had abandoned earlier.

It was the master of that super salty 'pickled mustard green room' where I had piled up salt in frustration because it wouldn't come out.(Please refer to the previous part for details.)

It's big.
But I'm busy right now.
But I don't want to let it get away.
My gaze just keeps darting back and forth.

And finally, the moment came when the razor clam I was currently holding

'I'm done,'

it seemed to say, giving up and relaxing its grip.
I immediately pulled it out smoothly.

With a quick follow-up, I firmly grabbed the razor clam that had popped out enough from the hole a little further away.

This sense of accomplishment.
This is the real thrill of razor clam digging.

■Triumphant Return

With all that, I managed to catch quite a large amount. It's more than enough for a side dish, and I might even be able to share some with others.

Since the peak of low tide had passed, I decided to wash my tools and the clams and head home.

Looking around again, since this area doesn't usually dry out, eelgrass grows here. It's a cradle-like place where many small creatures live.

The ground only appears during the low tide of a spring tide.
If you go to places like that which are usually inaccessible, you can catch a lot of razor clams. It's a loss if you don't go.

■ How to dig for razor clams

1. Find a famous spot for clamming.

2. Check the tide table for days when the tide level is negative (May and June) and list candidate dates.

3. Arrive at the site one hour before the peak of low tide.

Low tide reference example (Kanagawa Prefecture, 2026)
May 17 (Sun) Spring Tide, Low Tide 11:07 (Tide Level -18)
May 18 (Mon) Spring Tide, Low Tide 11:47 (Tide Level -20)
May 19 (Tue) Spring Tide, Low Tide 12:29 (Tide Level -14)

■ Tools

🐚 Minimalist Set

• Rain boots

• Shovel (from a 100-yen shop)

• Dressing dispenser (from a 100-yen shop)

• Salt (from a 100-yen shop)

• Small plastic carrying basket (from a 100-yen shop)

• Collapsible bucket (from a 100-yen shop)

• Folding chair (from a 100-yen shop),needs some adjustments as it sinks into the sand

• 2L plastic bottle, for bringing back seawater

🐚 Add the following if you are also digging for Manila clams

• Hand rake

• Twisted sickle (Daiso: long-neck sickle)

• Work gloves

[Note]
The season has strong UV rays, so don't forget your hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

■ A modified chair.

Added fabric to the bottom, just like on the top. I used a Hello Kitty fabric scrap (nylon) sold at Daiso. Sew it on in a tube shape. Rough hand-stitching is fine. Because it makes surface contact with the sand, it significantly reduces sinking. Mark I does not exist.

To be continued!
Next time, the cooking segment.

🌀Bonus🌀

I had leftover Suno credits and didn't want to waste them, so I turned part of this article into a song.

👇 There are other articles I've turned into songs as well.