Japanese cafe requires customers to finish their deadlines before they can leave.

Typically, creative work requires a comfortable environment with just the right amount of pressure. Most cafes today are designed with the primary goal of helping customers relax, unwind, or chat. In contrast, Manuscript Writing Cafe was created to provide a comfortable space with just the right amount of pressure, specifically for writers.

Located in Koenji Ward, Tokyo, Manuscript Writing Cafe is exclusively for those working in the literary field, such as screenwriters, writers, and journalists. The space, originally rented from a recording studio, is quite small and can accommodate a maximum of 10 customers. The walls and ceiling are decorated minimally with red bricks, creating an intimate and cozy atmosphere.

Upon entering the Manuscript Writing Cafe, customers must inform staff about their writing needs and the type of writing they are undertaking. For example, novels, journalism, and screenplays are common. The cafe also accepts requests for translation, editing, project planning, or comic book naming. Customers are then given a form to fill out with their name, expected length of stay, and goals for the day. For instance, they must specify the word count, number of pages to be edited, number of documents to be translated, etc.

Specifically, Manuscript Writing Cafe allows customers to choose... their level of work pressure. Cafe staff will directly check the customer's progress every hour. They can offer gentle feedback or yell loudly – ​​depending on the customer's request. From casual questions like "How far have you gotten?", "There's only an hour left until the deadline," to harsh, even critical, language.

"I only dared to choose the lowest level of reminders with the goal of writing 500 words in 2 hours," shared Hananko Montgomery, a writer for Vice, based on her experience. She believes that having others be confrontational while writing is unnecessary; creativity needs to be accompanied by a sense of comfort.

After completing the registration form, customers are free to choose their seats and are provided with power outlets, Wi-Fi, fast chargers, and cooling stands for laptops.

Speaking to Vice, novelist Mariko Tomioka said she rarely works at cafes because she can concentrate better at home. However, lately she's felt stifled writing at home as usual. Recommended by her husband, Mariko visited the Manuscript Writing Cafe to experience their service.

"I just finished a draft of 3,500 Japanese words and 1,750 English characters. In just two hours, I completed a task that would normally take several days," Mariko said.

The female writer admitted to being easily distracted. When she went to regular cafes, she was affected by the surrounding noise and her own phone. Manuscript Writing Cafe created a suitable environment and deadlines to help Mariko (and her colleagues) complete their work on time.

On Twitter, Takuya Kawai, owner of Manuscript Writing Cafe, shared: “We only welcome those who are ‘rushing to meet deadlines.’ Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in maintaining the tense atmosphere of the cafe.”

The menu at Manuscript Writing Cafe is also very simple, consisting of only two main drinks: drip coffee and water. However, customers don't have to order each item separately. For $1.20 (approximately 27,000 VND) per 30 minutes of service at the cafe, customers can order unlimited drinks. Alternatively, customers can bring their own drinks and food.

At Manuscript Writing Cafe, customers are only "allowed" to leave the cafe once they have completed their registered goal or by closing time. Customers can also purchase food at nearby convenience stores or order food delivery.

Manuscript Writing Cafe is usually open from 1 PM to 7 PM, but it's not open all week. Customers who want to "meet their deadlines" here need to check the cafe's website for the week's opening hours.

Compiled by Anh Thi