144 Hour Visa Exemption

My wife and I are taking a cruise in April of next year visiting many ports in Asia. The only mainland port we are visiting in China is an over night visit in Shanghai. The port prior to Shanghai is Hiroshima, Japan and the port after is Ishigaki, Japan. Are we able to use the 144 Hour Visa exemption and what is needed to apply ? Will we get necessary applications on board the ship? Thank you, Mr. Joe Micci