Many Japanese women revere Harumi Kurihara, calling her the "charismatic housewife."
Yet others try to imitate her lifestyle, cooking her recipes while wearing a similar apron, or even by copying her trademark fluffy hairstyle.
With the success of her best-selling cookbooks as well as shops and restaurants operating under her name, the 53-year-old is often compared to well-known U.S. lifestyle guru Martha Stewart.