Despite a dire gasoline shortage in the Atlanta area at the time, JapanFest 2008 still drew 14,000 visitors. In its second year at Gwinnett Center, most of the logistical problems were smoothed over, so that guests had very little trouble navigating the festival and seeing all of the attractions.

Some attractions were long-standing traditions of the festival, such as the O-mikoshi parade, the "Made in Georgia" exhibitors' section, and the various martial arts demonstrations, while others were new this year, such as the Japanese rock band Sinatra (or "Shinatora"), who made their U.S. debut at JapanFest.

For the Consulate General of Japan's exhibit this year, the focus was on the celebration in 2008 of the 1,000th anniversary of "The Tale of Genji," the world's first novel. Displays included copies of the novel in Japanese, English, and even Manga format, as well as historical displays including background information on Heian-era Japan, the author Murasaki Shikibu, and a documentary video created for the 1,000th Anniversary celebration.

While it was primarily the Consulate General that focused on "The Tale of Genji," as the sub-theme for this year's JapanFest, there were several other events relating to "Genji," including a panel lecture on the Heian period and a musical performance of selected parts of "Genji" by biwa lutist Yoko Hiraoka.