If I want to take the ferry in to China. Can I still get a visa?

I want to take the Osaka ferry to Shanghai then fly to Beijing for a week then fly to Thailand. The ferry is reservation only, cash at window. Can I just have the plane ticket out of China and still get a L visa? (US citizen.) My r/t is New York to Tokyo but stops each way in BJ-- will the transfers cover the 'rt' required to get a visa? Thanks!