The Lowdown

If a tranquil Japanese inn seems out of place in the frenetic Mexican capital, think again. The relationship between the two countries actually began 400 years ago, when a brave samurai first landed in Acapulco. Today, that historic connection surfaces in the city’s Juarez neighborhood, a centrally situated tree-lined enclave of ramen joints, izakayas, Asian grocery stores, and even a contemporary art bookstore that specializes in Spanish-language Japanese literature. Inside this understated guesthouse masterminded by local architect Regina Galvanduque, traditional local flourishes like Juco vines (typical of Mayan architecture), enamel plates, and granite sinks share the limelight with charming Japanese accents like a koi pond and a Zen garden. The terrazzo stone and wood rooms are Kyoto chic, with slick automated management systems and low-slung beds—and, while the four open-air terrace baths are far from a traditional Japanese hot spring experience, they are the perfect perches from which to survey nearby Chapultepec Park and the rest of Mexico City’s 24/7 magic.

In the Area

Nestled in the borough of Cuauhtémoc, Juarez (formerly considered Mexico City’s most opulent pocket) was brutally ravaged by the 1985 earthquake—but a recent restoration has resulted in a burgeoning young professional scene lured by a clutch of ambitious eateries. Though the absence of an in-house restaurant may seem like a drag, Ryo Kan guests are within strolling distance of some of the area’s—and arguably, the world’s—best Japanese food. Standouts include Rokai, where the killer nine-course omakase menu features sumptuous sushi and sashimi sourced from Mexican waters, and Le Tachinomi Desu, a quirky standing-only café that transforms into a whisky and sake bar at night.