Inside Katana: A Journey of Design & Culture

Katana was imagined as a sake-led izakaya that feels intimate, warm, and understated. The intent was not to create a themed restaurant, but to let authenticity come through scale, materiality, and atmosphere.

Designed as a place where guests can slow down, share food, and enjoy a bar-driven dining experience, Katana balances refinement with a quiet sense of approachability.

One of the most striking features of Katana is the wall art that anchors the space. Created in collaboration with graphic designer Nargis Kapasi, the artwork was conceived as a narrative layer woven into the interiors.

The vision was to bring in the energy of Japanese modern pop art, vibrant, playful, and dynamic, while blending influences from traditional aesthetics, manga/anime culture, food, and global pop art.

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The references came from contemporary Japanese masters such as Takashi Murakami, Tadanori Yokoo, Yoshitomo Nara, and Chiho Aoshima, whose works embody a sense of whimsy and movement. To make it functional, the art was executed on tiles, a practical choice for the kitchen wall that also allowed for scale and durability.

The result is a piece that feels bold and fun, while contrasting beautifully with the restrained palette of stone, timber, and steel that we find across the rest of the restaurant.

Spanning 1,200 square feet with seating for 40–45 guests, the space was designed to preserve intimacy while encouraging shared dining. The bar forms the heart of the layout, with tables arranged in smaller clusters to balance conviviality and privacy, an echo of the izakaya tradition.

The interiors are rooted in a tactile, honest palette: hot-rolled steel, charred wood, textured stone, and green oxide finishes, accented with touches of red. These elements create warmth and depth, allowing the art and lighting to heighten the mood. Retro-inspired chairs add a nostalgic element, further enriching the layered design language.

The colour scheme is moody and restrained deep greys and stone textures balanced with charred timber tones, punctuated with vibrant red accents. Lighting plays a key role: intimate pools of light at tables, highlights on the bar, and soft washes across the walls bring the murals alive while maintaining a sense of intimacy.

Rather than literal mimicry of Japanese design, Katana draws from the essence of izakaya culture, intimacy, honesty of materials, and the joy of sharing. Even the façade roof quietly references Japanese sensibilities.

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When guests step into Katana, the intent is for them to feel as though they’ve stumbled into a quiet, hidden corner of Tokyo within Bengaluru. It is a place to to share plates and conversations, discover sake-forward cocktails, and lose track of time in a space where refined craftsmanship meets playful expression.

More Information :

Address: Ground Floor, No. 3168, Indiranagar Double Road, HAL 2nd Stage, Bengaluru, Karnataka – 560008 

Instagram: @katanablore