Hayatani Shrine

Hayatani Shrine 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 was listed as a Myojin Taisha before the Engishiki was written, In 811 it and Itsukushima were both given the rank by the Emperor. It used to have a higher status than Itsukushima Shrine, but due to the support of the Taira clan it was eclipsed. 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. 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 modern day expressway.

It and Itsukushima shrine used to simultaneously provide offerings in a single ceremony.