Bar Yoku is an urban izakaya tucked inside The Welder on Welles Street in central Christchurch. Its name comes from shinrin'yoku (森林浴), the Japanese concept of 'forest bathing' — immersing yourself in atmosphere as a means of restoring calm and wellbeing. The restaurant embodies that philosophy, offering an escape from the outside world within a venue that rewards discovery.
Guests can choose between two distinct settings: the darker, intimate izakaya den, or the internal garden, which brings a lighter, more open feel to the experience. Both sit within The Welder complex on Welles Street.
The food is led by Shawn, owner and head chef, whose approach is rooted in Japanese cuisine and then given his own twist. The menu specialises in Yakitori — skewered meats grilled over open flame — alongside Sushi tacos, fresh Raw plates, and izakaya-style sharing dishes. The kitchen's mantra: expect the classics, but not the traditional.
The drinks programme is equally considered. The Bar Yoku team makes their botanical infusions in-house, giving the cocktail list a distinctive, playful character. Low and no alcohol options are plentiful. Beyond cocktails, the bar carries Sake and a curated wine and spirit selection drawn from both Japanese and New Zealand producers.
A Gochiso set menu feast is available upon request — email [email protected] to arrange. Dietary menus are also available on request. Gift cards can be purchased through the website, and bookings are taken online.
Bar Yoku is named after shinrin'yoku (森林浴), the Japanese practice of "forest bathing" — the act of immersing yourself in an atmosphere to lower stress, slow down, and restore. It's a fitting name for a restaurant tucked inside The Welder on Welles Street in central Christchurch, where guests pass through what the team describes as a "wilderness" to reach an izakaya that feels genuinely removed from the outside world.
The space offers two distinct settings: the darker, more intimate den of the izakaya interior, and an internal garden that brings a softer, airier feel to the experience. Both sit within The Welder's atmospheric complex, giving Bar Yoku a sense of discovery that few Christchurch restaurants can match.
Bar Yoku's approach to food is described as "Japanese and Kiwi harmony on the plate." The menu specialises in Yakitori — skewered meats grilled over open flame — alongside Sushi tacos, fresh Raw plates, and a broader selection of izakaya-style sharing dishes. The kitchen is led by Shawn, who is both owner and head chef, returning to Bar Yoku with a clear philosophy: bring balance and flavour, take Japanese cuisine as the foundation, and add his own edge.
The menu leans into the izakaya tradition of food designed to be shared and grazed rather than eaten as fixed courses — though a Gochiso set menu feast is available upon request for those who want a curated, guided experience. Dietary menus are also available on request by emailing [email protected].
The drinks programme at Bar Yoku is as considered as the food. The cocktail list is described as playful, unique, and delicious — and notably, the team makes their own botanical infusions in-house, giving the cocktails a character that goes beyond a standard bar menu. Low- and no-alcohol options are described as plentiful.
Beyond cocktails, the drinks selection covers Sake and a wine and spirit range that draws from both Japanese and New Zealand producers — reflecting the same cultural blend that runs through the food.
Inspired by the small laneway izakayas of Tokyo, Bar Yoku is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11.30am until late. Bookings can be made online, and gift cards are available for purchase through the website.