Rusty Japanese

My Japanese has never been 'good.' It is basic conversational level at best. My vocabulary revolves largely around food product. Today the girls and I were checking out our local area which is truly gorgeous. When I lived in Japan before it was in a place called Yokkaichi and 15 years prior was on the top of the planet's dirtiest cities in the world due to poor air quality. Petrochemicals is their specialty which resulted in things like clothes off the line on the balcony smelling like burnt sesame oil and a Jr. high school that I taught at had nearly half of the students with 'special trouble because bad air.' When I asked the teacher who had informed me of this if anyone considered moving she laughed. This is a typical Japanese response leaving those of us on this side of the Pacific wondering what that means. Is it funny? Was the question was too rude to answer? Is the concept of moving to another area for something other than a work transfer odd? i don't know.
But now we're in Kyoto. It is beautiful here. We are on the north end of the city nestled right up against a mountain and we have lots of fresh air. We are near some touristy attractions that are tucked away up here, but it is primarily a suburban neighborhood. We ran into an American couple looking for a restaurant in the area where they could get some good Udon. Since I am completely new to the area I had no idea. But an elderly woman was passing by whom I asked in Japanese for this couple. I was able to find the right words! It's been 13 years since I've been back and I can still track down a good meal. A successful start to this adventure.