I’m Erin Niimi Longhurst, a Japanese/British author living in London.

My work has been featured in the likes of The Guardian, Time Out, Vogue, Stylist, El Mundo, Elle Vietnam, Reader’s Digest, and the BBC.

I’m the author of Japonisme (HarperCollins, 2018), Omoiyari (HarperCollins, 2020), and A Little Book of Japanese Contentments (Chronicle Books, 2018). My work is influenced by my dual heritage, and focuses on my passion for food (having completed the Leiths School of Food and Wine Essentials Course), Ikigai (finding purpose), Ikebana (flower arranging), and Shinrinyoku (forest bathing).

I am a member of the Guild of Food Writers.

I’m currently in East London, where I live with my husband, and my sausage dog Milhouse. My third book is due to be published in September 2024 by HarperCollins.

Why subscribe to ‘Otsumami’?

Recipes. Itineraries. Tutorials. Recommendations.

Subscribe for weekly morsels and tidbits - or ‘otsumami’, snacks that you might grab and eat (often with booze).

‘Japonisme’ and ‘Omoiyari’ were made possible because of a blog I had made pre-Instagram, pre-TikTok. I loved the sense of community - of writing, photography, mediums I was excited and passionate about.

I’m dedicating time again to create and share shorter form content (i.e. not just books!) through a new series hosted by Substack.

What can you expect?

As a free subscriber, you’ll get access to:

• One recipe a month;

• Interviews;

• Food and cultural recommendations, tips and musings

For premium/paid subscribers (£4 a month), you’ll get:

• Three recipes per month;

• Audio recordings of the features;

• Access to my weekly office hours;

• Travel itineraries; and

• A signed copy of one of my books*.

Subscribe below to join!

* Available only to annual subscribers - shipping charges for postage over £10 may apply.

Subscribe to get full access to the newsletter and publication archives.

Stay up-to-date

Never miss an update—every new post is sent directly to your email inbox. For a spam-free, ad-free reading experience, plus audio and community features, get the Substack app.

Join the crew

Be part of a community of people who share your interests. Participate in the comments section, or support this work with a subscription.

To learn more about the tech platform that powers this publication, visit Substack.com.