Thorn Tree travel forum

1

I think the ferries are commonly the cheapest means of travelling between China and Japan. The Shanghai -- Osaka ferry costs about 1500 RMB.
Cheers!

2

if I remember correctly you can get a 50% student discount - at least coming back from the Japanese side

any gay lads in Cardiff or South WALES

3

If you really are looking for the cheapest way, you can take the ferry to Kobe or Osaka, and then when in Japan buy what's called a "Seishun Juuhachi kippu" at any Japan Rail train station. I believe it costs 11,500 yen (US $90) for five days of unlimited use of local (slow) trains. The first day it can be used this summer is July 20. So you could take the train on the 20th, 21st or 22nd. It takes about 9 hours to Tokyo station from Osaka station. Narita airport is maybe an hour to an hour and a half away from Tokyo station, depending on which line and what type of train you take.
Anyways, once you're in Tokyo you can find a used ticket shop near the station and sell the remaining 4 days on that ticket to the shop, for I would guess about $50 or $60, making the price to Tokyo only $30 or $40 from Osaka/Kobe.
The train ride is pretty long (I've done it a few times and it's okay, though) and you have to change trains probably 5 or 6 times, but it's pretty easy and very cheap for Japan. If you have any other questions about it, let me know.

4

There are no discount airlines between Tokyo and Beijing.

For other cheap airline sites try www.airninja.com and www.zuji.com

Ruth

First check: Everbrite's travel pages, the New RU sticky,and New RU train sticky

Since I have taken the time to answer your question, it would be nice if you took the time to respond as to whether the information was helpful.