Is there a problem to stay in Tokyo on my way to another country?

Question:

My final destination is Taipei, but my itinerary includes a stop in Narita. I bought this ticket a while ago, and I am now thinking to stay in Japan instead of going on to Taiwan. Could there be any problem with the Japanese immigration to stay there, given that my final planned destination was another country? I don't remember if the immigration ask the itinerary.

Answer:

Lots of people make connections and layovers through Narita Airport, it's a major airport hub in Asia. So a lot of people with tickets showing final destinations outside of Japan make layovers inside of Japan, they make a quick visit to Tokyo or nearby Narita City.

So as long as you have a visa-waiver passport (what passport do you have?) immigration will generally not question you much at all. You poccess a ticket that is leaving Japan to Taiwan.

However your MAJOR problem is this:

If your final destination is Taiwan and your return ticket is from Taiwan then you have a major problem. Not with immigration, but your entire ticket will be cancelled by the airline if you do not make your connection at Narita, in return you will have no way to return unless you purchase a brand new expensive ticket to get back to your home country or out of Japan.

This is a well known tactic called "hidden city" ticketing, and the vast majority of airline fare rules prohibit it.

So lets say you were flying from A City-Narita-Taipei but you only few A City-Narita and skipped your flight to Taipei (eg you terminate your trip at Narita), that means your entire ticket is cancelled after (including your return trip). Now you are stuck with needing to purchase a brand new ticket to leave Japan, so you probably end up paying MORE money in the end.