Ark shells are commercially important clam species that inhabit in muddy sediments of shallow coasts in East Asia. For a long time, the lack of genome resources has hindered scientific research of ark shells. Here, we reported a high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly of Scapharca kagoshimensis, with an aim to unravel the molecular basis of heme biosynthesis, and develop genomic resources for genetic breeding and population genetics in ark shells.