Kinen-sai is a traditional Japanese festival that has been held since ancient times. It is held at many shrines throughout the country on February 17th every year. It is a festival to pray to the gods for a bountiful harvest of the five grains (gokokuhojo), that is, for a rich harvest of crops, as the spring cultivation begins.

祈年祭は、春の耕作始めに、その年の五穀豊穣を祈るお祭りです。古代から続く日本の伝統的なお祭りで、毎年2月17日に全国の多くの神社で行われます。春の耕作を始めるにあたり、その年の五穀豊穣（ごこくほうじょう）、つまり農作物が豊かに実ることを神に祈願するお祭りです。