When Spirited Away was recently named the best animated film of the 21st century, we knew we had to do something special. So we got to work behind the scenes and designed a new DIY project inspired by one of the film’s most iconic visuals: the bath house.
This intricate, kawaii-style paper model and gift box is a perfect project for Studio Ghibli fans, paper craft lovers, and anyone who enjoys a hands-on creative build. And the best part? It’s completely free.
Whether you’re using a Cricut or Silhouette, or cutting by hand, we’ve made this project as accessible as possible. SVG and PNG files are available for machine users, and we’ve also included printable PDFs for those using scissors.
How to Get the Files
To download the free templates, all you need to do is sign up for Shiba Mail, our monthly newsletter filled with printables, sneak peeks, and project updates.
>>GET YOUR BATH HOUSE CUTFILES HERE<<
What You’ll Need:
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Colour printer
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Matte photo paper or cardstock (240–260gsm recommended, A4 or US Letter)
Cutting Tools:
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Cricut or Silhouette machine, OR..
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Scissors for manual cutting
Glue Options:
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Strong liquid craft glue (for best results)
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Glue dot runner or double-sided tape (we used a dot runner in the video for speed)
Scoring Tools:
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Cricut: Scoring wheel or deboss tool
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Silhouette: Score lines come pre-perforated
(Scoring tools will make folding easier—Cricut users can opt for a scoring wheel or deboss tool, and for Silhouette users, the score lines come pre-perforated.)
Software:
If you're using Silhouette then you will need, Silhouette Studio Designer to import SVG files. And if you're using Cricut you will need Cricut Design Space.
File Setup in Cricut and Silhouette
If you're using a Silhouette or Cricut machine to make this project please watch the file set videos for Silhouette Studio Designer or Cricut Design Space. These videos will help you with printing and cutting your project correctly.
Printing and Cutting with Silhouette:
Printing and Cutting in Cricut:
How to Assemble the Bath House Box
Assembly Guide & Time Stamps
The full video tutorial walks you through the entire build. To make navigation easier, here are some time stamps so you can jump to specific sections.
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Main Box – 01:15
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Mid/Lower Roof – 04:38
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Lid & Top Roof – 06:50
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Tower – 11:17
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Mini Buildings – 15:23
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Attaching Buildings – 22:04
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Base Platform – 22:52
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Bridge & Stairs – 24:53
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Fences – 27:33
A Note on Usage
This project is offered for personal use only. Please don’t sell or distribute the templates or finished designs. Your support helps us continue offering free, high-quality creative projects for the whole community.
Stay in Touch
For more papercraft projects and updates, follow us on Instagram: @lalashibadesigns
We can’t wait to see your finished bath houses. If you build one, tag us—we’d love to feature your work.
Thanks for crafting with us.
— The Lala Shiba Team
