I am visiting Tokyo on 21 May 2011, can I apply for a Chinese visa to arrive in Shanghai on 25 May?

The time is pressing if you want to apply for China visa in Tokyo. You have to apply for rush service or express service. China embassy in Tokyo is closed on May 21, May 22, you go to the embassy on May 23 (Monday) to submit visa application, you have to try to apply for 1 working day rush service or 2-3 working days express service.

Sorry, there is only 2 working days processing time is available at China embassy in Tokyo. Extra 3000 Yen is charged besides visa fee.

Thank you for your reply Ms.Helper!

I also read that a non-Japanese citizen needs to have a long-stay Japanese visa to apply for a Chinese visa. Is this the case? I have been told by several people that this is not the case but it does state it on the Tokyo Chinese embassy website. Or is this if I was going to return to Japan?

Also, I will apply for the visa on Monday morning (23 May) and then pick it up on the Wednesday morning (25 May). Do you know if this would be possible - the morning pick up I mean.

Thank you in advance!

It is only required from aliens holding long stay Japanese visa. For you, as a temporary visitor to Japan, you can provide your entry record and copy instead. For visa processing, you'd better use rush service and pick up on the next working day on Tuesday, it is safer since as I know the general case is to pick up in the afternoon.