The Osaka area is more known for the strength of its hardcore and punk scene than for its indie rock/pop or alternative scene, but this does not mean that a thriving scene does not exist. It is just rarely heard about and often overshadowed by its more popular hardcore brother. Keeping the scene alive and well are a handful of clubs, especially Fandango, great record stores like Time Bomb Records, along with dedicated record labels like Gyuune Cassette.
BANDS: Cleandistortion, Papa Box, Shonen Knife
CLUBS:
Fandango Osaka/Kobe's premier site for indie rock and punk, etc.
Bears a club in Namba, right near Midosuji Namba Station.
Club Quatro located on the top floor of the PARCO building in Shinsaibashi. The slick club occasionally features top indie bands, both Japanese and foreign.
RECORDS SHOPS:
Of course, you can also try Tower Records, which has 2 large stores in both American Mura and Shinsaibashi. The Shinsaibashi store in particular, has a large Japanese indie section where I have bought many a CD...
and Book Off, a used CD store where you can occasionally find some gems.
Kobe's Jet Set Records does not seem to have a separate website for its Kobe store. But a search on the internet will give you the address and phone number, or email them for detailed directions.
RECORD LABELS: