BOKU – Japanese Izakaya & Highball Bar in Guadalajara

Where Osaka’s street soul meets contemporary craftsmanship in the heart of Mexico.



Located in Guadalajara, this Japanese restaurant bridges two drinking cultures—Japan’s highball tradition and Mexico’s love for spirits such as tequila and whisky. Inspired by Osaka’s nostalgic “yatai” (street food stalls), the space reinterprets the casual vibrancy of a Japanese izakaya through a contemporary architectural approach.



BOKU celebrates takoyaki, Japan’s iconic octopus-filled street food, as its main concept. The octopus—central to the cuisine—also becomes the spatial metaphor that shapes the design language. The curved bar counter, which encourages group conversation, subtly recalls the movement of octopus tentacles when seen from above, uniting food and form in a single narrative gesture.



The design seeks to embody the essence of “Wa” (Japanese harmony) without relying on clichés often found in overseas Japanese restaurants. Instead, traditional elements are reinterpreted with modern materials and detail.



Bamboo lanterns (Takeakari) softly illuminate the space with an organic rhythm, while a dramatic mural in sumi-e ink depicts an octopus—symbolizing both the dish’s core ingredient and the poetic fluidity of Japanese artistry. Traditional ranma latticework is integrated into furniture, allowing craftsmanship to converse with modern lines.



At the counter, lighting inspired by Studio Ghibli’s Laputa uses visible piping, evoking an imaginative mechanical world. A mezzanine structure maximizes the high ceiling: the lower floor hosts the main bar and open kitchen, while the loft provides an intimate perch for guests.



The main challenge was maintaining precision in construction with local builders while preserving delicate Japanese detailing. Through this process, BOKU becomes more than a restaurant—it is a spatial dialogue between Japan and Mexico, between cuisine and craft, where octopus, light, and laughter intertwine to express the joyful heart of Osaka reborn in Guadalajara.