Over the sea
First you have to over the sea by ship or airplane. Because Japan is island.
I have two plan of reach to Japan.
1. Use MU(China Eastern Airline)
China eastern airline have most reasonable price from around Shanghai to Japan now. You can check the price and info at direct MU website.
For example, Delhi, India to Fukuoka, Japan aprox. USD 550 round trip including any charge. But fix only. You can not change arrival and departure date.
! This information recent (17.OCT.2013) only.
2. Use ferry from China to Japan
If you can come to Shanghai or Qingdao by hitchhike or bicycle, better to use China to Japan ferry. From Shanghai to Osaka (Su Zhou Hao) and from Qingdao to Shimonoseki (Orient Ferry) is better.
Orient ferry needs one way aprox USD 176 cheaper class recently.
http://www.orientferry.co.jp
Su Zhou Hao needs aprox USD 220 one way cheaper class.
http://www.shanghai-ferry.co.jp/english/
Transport
Japan has turned to the bicycle trip very much. All roads are paved smoothly. The large sidewalk is improved in the trunk road. The bikeway is made by the bicycle boom these days. Since Japan is large, the ups and downs of inland are intense. However, a great thing does not have the highest altitude at 3700 meters. I want you to enjoy the beautiful Japanese mountains who got wet. A local side of Japan is dotted with many campsites. It is better to bring a lightweight tent by all means, if you do a cheaper trip in Japan. If you do not have a bicycle, I will recommend hitchhike. Japan is easiest country for hitchhike. I was always doing hitchhike in the service area(parking area) of the highway. The hitchhike in a local road will get used on good terms with Japanese people. The hitchhike in Japan is lawful.
