Manuscript Writing Café located in Kōenji, a district of Tokyo, helps writers with deadlines using rules and a minder who will come check on your word count progress. It’s only open to people who are writing.

Here’s the best part of Manuscript Writing Cafe’s system: you can’t check out until you meet your goal. You pay to use the space, and if you don’t finish the work you put on your card, the staff won’t let you pay. Thus, you can’t leave without breaking the law. This kind of pressure may not work for everyone, but some folks will thrive.

Since this business primarily functions as a recording and broadcasting studio with Manuscript Writing Cafe operating during the studio’s off hours, it’s not so much about the cafe part. They offer hot beverages, and guests can bring their own snacks or have meals delivered to the cafe. For the rental of your seat, you’ll get wi-fi, an outlet, a USB charger, a laptop cooling stand, and access to the “free drink corner” to get coffee or to make hot tea.

This sounds like a great start to a scary movie, right?

Photo | iStock