Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo.... It is one of the largest cities in the world, an urban jungle of unending gray sprawl for mile upon mile, and also home to one of the best music scenes in the world.
Tokyo is also renowned for its record stores, vinyl-lovers especially will have a field-day in Tokyo. This aspect of Tokyo is probably the most documented, and I will not attempt to rehash. I would instead advise you to check out the many excellent websites available about Tokyo stores.
Tokyo is so very much the center of Japan, that at times you might forget that many other cities have a lot to offer musically, and with less people and stress getting to the goods. Tokyo would be a good place to start for any newcomer to the Japanese music scene. But after familiarizing yourself with it, please do not stop there. Check out other cities and their bands and stores as well. You will be happy you did.
BANDS:
Cornelius, Flipper's Guitar, Pizzicato Five and many more.
CLUBS: Club Que and many more.
RECORDS SHOPS:
Escalator Records the flagship store of the label, in Tokyo’s Harajuku neighborhood.
WEBSITE:
http://www.mindspring.com/~jcurran/tokyo/tokyopop.htm Handy guide to record shopping in Tokyo.
http://www.tokyorecohan.com/ Excellent online record store with tons of info about artists, etc. Also, visit them in Tokyo.
Tokyo Gig Guide The name says it all.