Why source from Japan
Lake Shinji's Yamato Shijimi is the recognised premium origin; FFC notifications for liver-support drive functional retail.
Key spec
Ornithine 8-12 mg/100g (highest of common shellfish); calcium 350-450 mg/100g; vitamin B12 elevated.
Typical end-product
Liver-support FFC supplements, freeze-dried miso-soup retail, hospitality kaiseki broth.
At a glance
- Suppliers listed
- 1 supplier
- Typical MOQ
- 10–50 kg live / fresh; 1–10 kg freeze-dried
- Typical lead time
- 4–8 weeks
- Regions of origin
- Shimane (Lake Shinji — Yamato Shijimi), Ibaraki / Chiba (Tone River)
- Category
- Food ingredients
- Harvest season
- Year-round (peak July – August)
- Japan regulatory status
- FFC notifications exist (liver support); food product; shellfish-allergen
- Japanese name
- 蜆
- Romaji
- 蜆
About this ingredient
Small freshwater / brackish clam (Corbicula japonica) — Lake Shinji (Shimane) and Tone River (Ibaraki / Chiba) are the principal commercial sources. Lake Shinji's Yamato Shijimi commands GI-equivalent regional pricing. Functional positioning targets ornithine content for liver-support / hangover-relief retail (FFC notifications exist, anchored by Yamato Shijimi). Used in shijimi miso soup, freeze-dried supplements, and increasingly as a B2B ornithine ingredient. Distinct from existing seafood entries.
Regulatory status
| Japan | FFC notifications exist (liver support); food product; shellfish-allergen |
|---|---|
| EU | Food import; shellfish-allergen labelling |
| United States | GRAS; FDA Prior Notice; shellfish-allergen labelling |
| China | GACC; phytosanitary |
Looking for alternatives?
Common reasons buyers swap to a different ingredient — and what we'd suggest based on this ingredient's profile.
Vegan / plant-based alternatives
Shijimi (Freshwater Clam) is animal-derived. If you need a non-animal source with similar functions, consider:
Fucoidan
フコイダン
INCI Fucoidan (from various brown seaweeds); MOQ from 1–10 kg.
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Astaxanthin
アスタキサンチン
INCI Astaxanthin; FFC notification(s) on file; MOQ from 1–10 kg (oil-based concentrate).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)
γ-アミノ酪酸
FFC notification(s) on file; MOQ from 10–50 kg.
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
When does it make sense to swap an ingredient? Read the swap guide →
Japanese suppliers
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Last updated: 2026-05-05