Do I have to be completely fluent in Japanese to take a Vacation to Japan, or just basic phrases?

Question:

Answer:

No you can know zero Japanese and still visit Japan. Now of course knowing Japanese can help, even basic Japanese.

Most train station signs and displays are translated into English, so the actual process of getting around the major of Japan is pretty easy. If you do research before hand and research the places you want to see and how to get there, then getting around again isn't that hard.

Example English translated display on the Yamanote Line in Tokyo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/herrolm/273…

Things like ordering food etc become a little more complicated, but knowing basic Japanese can help, that and a lot of body language and pointing at pictures etc helps.

But no you don't need to be completely fluent to visit Japan. I've had friends who speak no Japanese come and visit and enjoyed their time.