noun
indoor sandals; slippers
Refers to sandals or slippers worn inside the house, typically in traditional Japanese settings. Often used when entering a home or a tatami room.
玄関で上草履に履き替えてください。
Please change into indoor sandals at the entrance.
旅館では上草履が用意されている。
At the ryokan, indoor sandals are provided.
草履 are traditional Japanese sandals worn outdoors, whereas 上草履 are specifically for indoor use.
Compound of 上 (うわ, 'upper' or 'indoor') and 草履 (ぞうり, 'traditional sandals'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term clearly refers to sandals worn inside the house.