Kurihara has often been called the "Martha Stewart of Japan", and has enjoyed popularity there for over twenty years.
She is the host of numerous television shows, author of Suteki Recipe, a quarterly recipe magazine which has sold 5 million copies, as well as over 20 bestselling cookbooks and style magazines, has a line of cookware named after her, and owns a chain of stores.
Her homemaking empire is named Yutori no Kukan, which means "a space to relax".
In particular her cuisine is known for combining traditional and newer Western influences, while accounting for the real-world time constraints of a housewife.
Harumi's first cookbook was Gochisōsama Ga Kikitakute!, which translates to "I want to hear you say: 'I'm all finished and that was great!'".