What I'd like to find is something like Mushishi or XXXHolic, with a mysterious atmosphere and heavily based in folklore, maybe a bit stylish while we're at it. Or maybe with that feel of discovering unseen facets of the world, like the bits of YKK where Alpha is travelling, or the Cait Sith-related parts of Aria. One of the things that attracts me to Touhou, for instance, is the creative take on Japanese folk stories, so other stuff that relies on the same would be appealing.
OMG!!! A fellow YKK and Aria fan!!! So few of us exist!! YKK and Aria are probably two of my favorite stories of all time!!! I love both to bits. Natsume Yuujinchou (Natume's Book of Friends), as far as I know, comes pretty close to what you're asking about. I've been reading it off and on and I find it to be pretty good. Hmmm... I don't know if it fits your criteria but check out Socks Goblin. I believe it's a manwha and I read it on a whim and I have to say I quite like it. Other than that, I'm stuck on suggestions for what you're asking for as both Mushishi and XXXHolic are the only other ones I know of. I'm sure there are more but I wouldn't know where to start looking.
EDIT @ Yuri Girl 1001 - Thanks for the suggestion.
last edited at Dec 31, 2014 10:49PM