In Japan, ōsōji (大掃除, “big cleaning”) is done in late December, before the new year on January 1. This was predated by the tradition of susu-harai (煤払い, “soot cleaning”) during the Edo period (1603–1868), which was observed on December 13 and cleaned homes in order to welcome toshigami (gods of the year).[1]

Source: Spring cleaning – Wikipedia