2008 Emperor's Cup

The 88th Emperor's Cup began on September 13, 2008 and ended on January 1, 2009 with the final at National Stadium in Tokyo. As the champion, Gamba Osaka participated in 2009 AFC Champions League.

J.League Division 1

 * Consadole Sapporo
 * Kashima Antlers
 * Omiya Ardija
 * Urawa Red Diamonds
 * Kashiwa Reysol
 * JEF United Ichihara Chiba
 * FC Tokyo
 * Tokyo Verdy
 * Kawasaki Frontale
 * Yokohama F. Marinos
 * Shimizu S-Pulse
 * Júbilo Iwata
 * Nagoya Grampus
 * Albirex Niigata
 * Kyoto Sanga FC
 * Gamba Osaka
 * Vissel Kobe
 * Oita Trinita

J.League Division 2

 * Vegalta Sendai
 * Montedio Yamagata
 * Mito HollyHock
 * Thespa Kusatsu
 * Yokohama FC
 * Shonan Bellmare
 * FC Gifu
 * Ventforet Kofu
 * Cerezo Osaka
 * Sanfrecce Hiroshima
 * Tokushima Vortis
 * Ehime FC
 * Avispa Fukuoka
 * Sagan Tosu
 * Roasso Kumamoto

Japan Football League

 * Tochigi SC

Prime Minister Cup University football tournament Winner

 * Osaka Taiiku University

Prefectures

 * Hokkaidō – Dohto University
 * Aomori – Aomori Yamada High School
 * Iwate – Grulla Morioka
 * Miyagi – Sony Sendai FC
 * Akita – TDK S.C.
 * Yamagata – Yamagata University
 * Fukushima – Fukushima United FC
 * Ibaraki – Ryutsu Keizai University
 * Tochigi – Hitachi Tochigi Uva SC
 * Gunma – Arte Takasaki
 * Saitama – Shobi University
 * Chiba – JEF United Ichihara Chiba Reserves
 * Tokyo – Kokushikan University
 * Kanagawa – YSCC Yokohama
 * Niigata – Niigata University of Management
 * Toyama – Kataller Toyama
 * Ishikawa – Zweigen Kanazawa
 * Fukui – Saurcos Fukui
 * Yamanashi – Tamaho FC
 * Nagano – Matsumoto Yamaga FC
 * Gifu – FC Gifu Second
 * Shizuoka – Honda FC
 * Aichi – Aichi Gakuin University
 * Mie – Yokkaichi University
 * Shiga – Sagawa Shiga FC
 * Kyoto – Sagawa Printing SC
 * Osaka – Hannan University
 * Hyōgo – Banditonce Kakogawa FC
 * Nara – Nara Sangyo University
 * Wakayama – Kainan FC
 * Tottori – Gainare Tottori
 * Shimane – Dezzolla Shimane
 * Okayama – Fagiano Okayama
 * Hiroshima – Fukuyama University
 * Yamaguchi – Hitachi Kasado FC
 * Tokushima – Tokushima Vortis Second
 * Kagawa – Kamatamare Sanuki
 * Ehime – Ehime University
 * Kochi – Kochi University
 * Fukuoka – New Wave Kitakyushu
 * Saga – Kyushu Inax SC
 * Nagasaki – Mitsubishi Nagasaki SC
 * Kumamoto – Kumamoto Ohzu High School
 * Ōita – Nippon Bunri University
 * Miyazaki – Honda Lock SC
 * Kagoshima – Volca Kagoshima
 * Okinawa – Okinawa Kariyushi FC

Matches
All matches are Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)

Third round
The 15 J2 teams plus one JFL representative (Tochigi SC) entered at this round.

Fourth round
The 18 J1 teams will enter at this round.