Although he debuted as center back in 2003, he could not play many matches behind Japan national team player Naoki Matsuda and Yuji Nakazawa.
[2] In November 2003, Kurihara was selected Japan U-20 national team for 2003 World Youth Championship.
After 2006 World Cup, Ivica Osim became a new manager for Japan national team.
His first match on August 9, Kurihara debuted for Japan against Trinidad and Tobago at the Tokyo National Stadium when he replaced Keisuke Tsuboi in the 60th minute.
In April 2010, he played for Japan under manager Takeshi Okada against Serbia for the first time in 4 years.