I just posted on that other thread you mentioned above to see if anyone had tried getting out of the airport by going through customs once they have entered the departures area while transiting from another flight. Most airports I have been to have a way where you can double back and are guided to the arrivals immigration area to be processed if you leave the departures area. As long as you have your onward BP you can always come back. As for Shore Pass, I am researching and some folks have posted experiences where they were staying overnight which is fine, and others have also mentioned being there just for a few hours and getting a Shore Pass, so it all depends on each individuals circumstances. However, I don't want to be stuck in a situation where they deny my a Shore Pass and then stamp my passport with some indicator that I applied and was refused which will then cause me to have difficulties getting a Japanese Visa in the future for legitimate visits (i.e. not a few hours stop).