Save the Date for Mountain Quest 2026!! Registration coming soon.
The 26th Annual To-Shin Do Mountain Training Retreat
June 26–28, 2026 | North Carolina Mountains
Mountain Quest 2026 marks a truly historic gathering for the To-Shin Do community. This year’s retreat is the only public opportunity in 2026 to train directly with An-Shu Stephen K. Hayes, founder of To-Shin Do and one of the most influential martial artists of the modern era.
Held on a private training site deep in the North Carolina mountains, surrounded by cliffs, waterfalls, and abundant wildlife, Mountain Quest is far more than a seminar—it is a legendary rite of passage. The environment itself mirrors the rugged regions of Japan from which our art emerged, creating an immersive setting where To-Shin Do truly comes alive.
A Premier Testing & Promotion Opportunity
Mountain Quest has long been regarded as the premier testing destination within To-Shin Do. The combination of immersive wilderness training, focused instruction, and direct access to senior leadership creates an experience that cannot be replicated elsewhere.
In 2026, participants will have rare opportunities to test and promote to advanced levels of To-Shin Do, with testing available up to 7th degree. For many, Mountain Quest represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to advance within the art under ideal conditions.
Friday: Yamabushi Mountain Meditation Experience
Training begins on Friday with a powerful Yamabushi (Mountain Seeker of Power) experience, inspired by the mountain ascetic traditions that shaped the ninja of old.
This session focuses on the Kuji-In, specifically Kuji Number 5, emphasizing:
Reading environmental and interpersonal signs
Sensing intention before danger manifests
Avoiding deception and hidden traps
Cultivating calm awareness and intuitive perception
This is deep internal training—where mindset, awareness, and strategy inform and enhance physical technique.
Saturday & Sunday: Preemptive Strategy & Positional Mastery
Saturday and Sunday training will be led by An-Shu Stephen K. Hayes, alongside his senior leadership team, delivering advanced instruction on preempting danger from a surreptitious attacker.
Training utilizing selected historical ninja martial arts exercises and To-Shin Do contemporary adaptations will emphasize:
Perception before contact
Intelligent positioning and movement
Early decision-making under uncertainty
“Setting the deck” in your favor before conflict begins
This curriculum focuses on controlling circumstances before violence erupts—placing the To-Shin Do practitioner at a decisive advantage through awareness, positioning, and strategy rather than reaction alone.
Family-Friendly & Youth Programming
Mountain Quest 2026 is also family friendly, with special events and training opportunities designed specifically for youth participants. This allows families to share the Mountain Quest experience while introducing younger students to To-Shin Do principles in a safe, engaging, and age-appropriate way.
Camp. Train. Learn. Connect.
Come camp in the mountains, train in a legendary environment, learn directly from the founder of To-Shin Do, and reconnect with the broader To-Shin Do community.
This powerful training opportunity is not to be missed.
All To-Shin Do members and fans are welcome to attend.
Mountain Quest 2026
📍 Private mountain training area, North Carolina
📅 June 26th, 27th, and 28th, 2026
More than an event—a milestone, a tradition, and a transformational experience
Also check out other Workshops in Blowing Rock, Arts events in Blowing Rock, Health & Wellness events in Blowing Rock.
