Formal — to staff
Onsen · Sento · Etiquette
You
すみません、このタオル、浴槽の中に入れても大丈夫ですか？
すみません、このたおる、よくそうのなかにいれてもだいじょうぶですか？
Excuse me, is it okay to put this towel inside the bathtub?
Romaji: Sumimasen, kono taoru, yokusō no naka ni iretemo daijōbu desu ka? / Reply Romaji: Iie, taoru wa yokusō ni irenaide kudasai. Atama no ue ni noseru ka, yokusō no fuchi ni oite kudasai.
Reply
いいえ、タオルは浴槽に入れないでください。頭の上に乗せるか、浴槽の縁に置いてください。
いいえ、たおるはよくそうにいれないでください。あたまのうえにのせるか、よくそうのふちにおいてください。
No, please do not put towels in the bathtub. Please place it on your head or on the edge of the tub.
Gesture & etiquette
Point to the small towel and then to the bathwater.
Bringing a towel into the bathwater is generally considered bad manners as it can make the water dirty. Use a small modesty towel to carry to the bath, but keep it out of the bath water.