Are escorted tours a must?

Hello, I'm planning a trip with my 15 year old son. We'd like 4 nights in Tokyo and 4 in Kyoto. People are telling me that I have to have a escorted tour. I say we're venturing to see what we can in 8 days. We'll get a JR pass, and confortable shoes. We want to visit the Nintendo bldg and Sony as well. He wants to try to find the place where they film Ninja warrior in Yokohama, and try all kinds of street sushi and vending machines. Are we wrong in not getting a scorted tour, or can we decide in japan once we get there if we'd like to take a day tour somewhere like Mountain Fuji?. Advice please. This will be our first Asian vacation.
Thanks

Personally I think you and your son will be fine going on your own. There is enough info on this website and others as well as guidebooks for you to manage quite well without a tour.

I have been to Japan twice on my own - once to Tokyo and once to Kyoto.

Sometimes there is a walking tour or something similar if you want a bit more structure.

Enjoy!

Unless the area you want to see is a long way off the beaten track then you wont need to take an escorted tour.

Japan is a safe and friendly country and I found the locals were happy to assist with directions and advice.

For your first Asian holiday you have chosen a wonderful country.

Now when you get to your location three are often free volunteer guides who can show you the highlights. These ladies and gentlemen are a wonderful resource.

Ask at the entrance.

I don't speak Japanese,have been to Japan 7 times, and have never taken an escorted tour. I have visited many countries, including China, and never took a tour. As others have said, read the info on this site (check the tabs at the top of the page)and others sites plus paper guidebooks, plan your itinerary with the help of a map, look at photos of Japanese towns on www.skyscraper city Kansai www.skyscraper city Osaka www.skyscraper city Tokyo etc.

Unless you don't have much time (like 1 day in Kyoto), you don't need organized tours. In Japan organized tours are usually very busy events with very limited time to see things (ie 40 min. to see Nijo castle in Kyoto, or 30 min. to see Kinkakuji etc etc, while you can spend a whole day at Nijo and Kinkakuji!). Most tours are also only Japanese spoken and very expensive. So, plan your visit very carefull by reading a lot of travelbooks, the internet (this site in particular!), make a list of the things you really wanna see and plan your travelling based on this list and have fun!