Polite to Guest
Cultural · Bathing
タオルはお湯の中に入れないようにお願いします。 — Please make sure not to put your towel into the water. (Cultural · Bathing, Polite to Guest, JLPT N4)
You
タオルはお湯の中に入れないようにお願いします。
タオルはおゆのなかにいれないようにおねがいします。
Please make sure not to put your towel into the water.
Romaji: Taoru wa o-yu no naka ni irenai you ni onegai shimasu. / Reply Romaji: Aa, sumimasen. Kiwotsukemasu.
Reply
ああ、すみません。気をつけます。
ああ、すみません。きをつけます。
Oh, I'm sorry. I'll be careful.
Gesture & etiquette
Bow slightly when giving this reminder to soften the correction. Point to the sign listing the rules if one is posted — deflecting to a sign makes the correction feel less personal.
This is one of the most important sento and onsen rules for foreign visitors. Towels in the water are seen as contaminating shared baths. The small towel (手ぬぐい) is folded and placed on the head or set aside on the rim. Staff may remind guests gently if the rule is broken.