Hayatani Shrine

Hayatani Shrine (速谷神社) is a Shinto shrine located in Hatsukaichi, a suburb of Hiroshima. It is a Myojin Taisha and Ninomiya of Aki Province and is currently designated as a Beppyo Shrine. Overview Hayatani Shrine is a sacred place in Aki Province that has been worshipped for over 1,700 years. It used to have a higher status than Itsukushima Shrine. But the Taira clan supported Itsukushima Shrine, so Hayatani Shrine lost. People from all over Japan visit Hayatani Shrine to pray for traffic safety, especially when buying a new car. The shrine is also known for purifying the buses and trains of the Hiroshima Electric Railway. This shrine is one of the "Three Great Shrines of Aki Province", along with Itsukushima Shrine and Take Shrine (多家神社). For a long time, travelers on the Sanyo Expressway have prayed for safety on their journeys at this shrine, and it is still considered a protector of traffic safety on the expressway. Hayatani Shrine and Itsukushima Shrine used to have simultaneous festivals. Gallery References "Comprehensive history of Japanese historical place names Place names in Hiroshima Prefecture" 『日本歴史地名大系 広島県の地名』 ( Heibonsha ) Hayatani Shrine, Saiki-gun Other websites Hayatani Shrine - Official Site