If you’ve ever watched a Studio Ghibli film and thought, “I want to live like that,” you’re not alone.
There’s something magical about the way Studio Ghibli captures everyday life—quiet moments, soft lighting, the smell of food cooking, the sound of wind in the trees, a cat stretching on a windowsill.
I initially thought that it was just me – wanting this kind of slow, minimalistic living.
Then I wrote an article on how to live a Studio Ghibli life – it’s one of my most popular articles.
After that, I wrote many similar articles like:
- How to have a cozy Studio Ghibli Morning
- 11 books that give off Studio Ghibli vibes
- How to create a cozy Studio Ghibli home
- 25 Studio Ghibli Quotes you’ll enjoy
And if I’ve learned one thing:
It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing less… but doing it with your whole heart.
This post isn’t just a “routine”—it’s a feeling.
A way to wind down in the evening that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into the world of Kiki’s Delivery Service or My Neighbor Totoro.
It’s about soft lights, warm soup, handwritten notes, and remembering that peace doesn’t have to be earned—it can be created.
Here’s exactly how you can build your own cozy Studio Ghibli night routine, one gentle step at a time.
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1. Light a Warm, Glowy Lamp (No Harsh Lighting Allowed)
Ghibli nights are bathed in golden light—never harsh LEDs or cold, sterile brightness.
Swap your overhead lights for a soft, cozy table lamp or paper lantern.
I use this warm paper lantern lamp and it changes everything.
The moment I turn it on, the room feels softer.
Quieter.
Like it’s giving me permission to slow down.
Fairy lights work too, especially the warm white ones like these—they instantly add that whimsical sparkle you see in Ghibli kitchens and bedrooms.
2. Brew Something Warm and Steamy (Even Better If It’s in a Cute Mug)
No Ghibli night is complete without something warm to sip—tea, hot chocolate, or even a little miso soup.
I love using this cast iron teapot set for herbal tea—it makes the experience feel more intentional, like I’m in a small countryside kitchen with birds chirping outside.
And you have to have a pretty mug. My favorite right now is this Totoro ceramic mug—because of course.
If it makes you smile when you hold it, you’re doing it right.
3. Change Into Something Soft and Oversized
One of the most Ghibli-coded things you can do? Wear soft, oversized clothes that don’t match but feel like home.
Think: a big cozy sweater and slouchy socks.
Or a nightgown that looks like something Sophie from Howl’s Moving Castle would wear while sweeping. I live in this oversized waffle knit sweater on cozy nights. It’s like being hugged by a cloud.
Bonus points for fluffy house slippers—because walking around barefoot is not very Ghibli unless you’re literally in a forest.
4. Cook a Simple Meal with Your Full Attention (Even if It’s Just Eggs and Rice)
One of the most iconic things in Ghibli films is food. But it’s never about fancy recipes—it’s about the care you put into it.
Fry an egg. Toast some bread. Make a warm bowl of noodles. Light a candle while you stir. Hum a little. Pretend you’re cooking for someone you love (even if it’s just you).
I use this simple ceramic donabe-style pot to make one-pot rice or udon. It feels like something you’d see in a tiny kitchen in Spirited Away.
Even better?
Watch a Ghibli food compilation while you cook.
Just search “Ghibli food scenes” on YouTube—you’ll feel like you’re in a little cottage in the middle of nowhere.
5. Do One Slow, Beautiful Task—Not Because You Have To, But Because You Want To
The Ghibli vibe is about presence.
It’s about noticing the soft rhythm of folding laundry or watering plants or writing a letter.
Pick one thing you can do slowly—something that calms you down instead of speeds you up.
Write in a linen-bound journal. Paint in a tiny watercolor sketchbook. Reorganize your shelf. Patch a piece of clothing. Knit a little. Even sharpening pencils can be poetic if you’re really in the mood.
And if your brain is still racing?
Try tidying up with soft music. It’s not a chore—it’s a love letter to your space.
6. Watch a Ghibli Movie (or Just Play the Soundtrack)
Okay, this one’s obvious—but it’s not about binging.
It’s about intentionally watching something that makes your soul feel full.
My favorites for a wind-down night are:
- Whisper of the Heart
- My Neighbor Totoro
- Kiki’s Delivery Service
- From Up On Poppy Hill
If you don’t feel like watching a full film, just play the Studio Ghibli piano playlist in the background.
It’ll shift the energy of your whole home.
7. Use a Dreamy Bedside Setup (With a Book, Candle, and Something That Smells Like Nature)
Last step: your bed needs to feel like a nest.
Spritz your sheets with lavender linen spray. Light a small soy candle like this handmade forest-scented one.
Keep a soft book nearby—not something intense or overwhelming, just something gentle. Poetry, short stories, or even a fairy tale.
I also keep this mini clip-on reading light next to my bed so I don’t need to turn on anything bright once I’m winding down.
Tuck yourself in.
Breathe slowly.
Pretend the wind is rustling through the trees outside, and tomorrow you’ll wake up in a new cozy world where everything feels a little slower, a little softer, a little more magical.
