1.
year-end and New Year period
The period spanning late December through early January, covering both the end of the old year and the beginning of the new year. A major holiday season in Japan when most businesses close.
Usage
A compound of 年末 (year-end) and 年始 (beginning of the year). The typical 年末年始 holiday for companies and government offices runs from December 29 to January 3. This is one of the three major holiday periods in Japan, along with Golden Week and Obon. Major activities include 大掃除 (year-end cleaning), 年賀状 (New Year's cards), and 初詣 (first shrine visit).