DAY 1 | Oct 31 (Sat)
Warrior Introduction
- 12:00–13:00 Registration
- 13:00–15:00 Meditation
-
19:00–20:30
Opening Talk
On the Warrior
Mindful Retreat in Kaga Onsen 2026
The Birth of a Warrior
Nature Meditation Retreat with David Nichtern
Onsen × Forest × Meditation — Touch your essential nature in the midst of nature.
Oct 31 (Sat) – Nov 03 (Tue), 2026
Early Bird: $2,320 USD
(¥348,000 JPY · fixed price, payable in JPY) · until Mar 31
Regular: $2,720 USD
(¥398,000 JPY · fixed price, payable in JPY)
The Birth of a Warrior
Cultivating the Inner Warrior
Basic Goodness × Fearlessness
A warrior is someone who can meet the uncertainty and fear that arise in life with steadiness and openness.
In this retreat, we will spend time practicing meditation in a natural environment, allowing the mind to settle and open. Through this process, we begin to touch the ground of Basic Goodness—the inherent sanity and warmth within us—and cultivate Fearlessness, the capacity to see reality clearly without being overwhelmed by anxiety or fear.
Over four days of practice together with David, who has spent decades drawing out this warrior quality in others, we will explore how meditation can become grounded in everyday life, and how to meet our own minds with greater honesty and gentleness.
Retreat Schedule
Schedule
A four-day retreat centered on meditation practice and dialogue, held in the stillness of the forest and the ease of onsen.
With Basic Goodness and Fearlessness as our themes, we will slowly trace the process by which the inner warrior is born.
DAY 2 | Nov 1 (Sun)
Touching Basic Goodness
-
9:00–12:00
Meditation & Talk
Basic Goodness (1) -
13:30–16:30
Meditation & Talk
Basic Goodness (2) -
19:00–20:30
Meditation & Talk
Q&A Discussion
DAY 3 | Nov 2 (Mon)
Cultivating Fearlessness
-
9:00–12:00
Meditation & Talk
Fearlessness (1) -
13:30–16:30
Meditation & Talk
Fearlessness (2) -
19:00–20:30
Meditation & Talk
Q&A Discussion
DAY 4 | Nov 3 (Tue / Holiday)
The Birth of a Warrior & Excursion
-
8:30–11:30
Meditation & Talk
The Birth of a Warrior - 12:30–14:00 Lunch at Meigetsuro
- 14:30–15:30 Walk at Natadera Temple
- 16:00 Dismissal at Kagaonsen Station
Venue
Morinotsumi
An onsen resort embraced by forest stillness
Morinotsumi Resort & Spa sits on a gentle hill in Kaga, Yamashiro Onsen.
Set within a 10,000-tsubo property, it offers 5,000 tsubo of deep forest and a Japanese garden—an intimate, hideaway-like setting.
Soaking in the mineral-rich hot springs and spending time in the wide, quiet woods helps restore both body and mind.
Excursion
Natadera Temple
A crossroads of nature, history, and esoteric Buddhist culture
Natadera Temple was founded in 717 by the monk Taichō as a site of devotion connected to Mount Hakusan.
Over time, it became an important temple within the Shingon tradition rooted in Mount Kōya.
Here, the practices of mountain asceticism and the esoteric teachings transmitted by Kūkai intersect,
creating a rare historical landscape where nature and contemplative culture are deeply intertwined.
David Nichtern
True Nature Meditation Co-founder
Dharma Moon CEO
David Nichtern is a senior meditation teacher in the lineage of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, who introduced Tibetan meditation traditions to the West. For over fifty years, he has been teaching traditional and authentic meditation practice throughout North America and Europe.
He is also the CEO of Dharma Moon, a global meditation education platform and community centered on mindfulness, where he has been involved in training mindfulness teachers and presenting long-standing meditation traditions through a contemporary approach.
Application
Register
Mindful Retreat in Kaga Onsen 2026
The Birth of a Warrior
Oct 31 (Sat) – Nov 03 (Tue), 2026
What’s Included
- Meditation program participation
- Excursion participation
- English interpretation & materials
- Accommodation (3 nights at Morinotsumi)
- Shared room accommodation
- Meals (Dinner Oct 31 – Lunch Nov 3)
* Single-room accommodation is available for an additional fee.
Regular: $2,720 USD
(¥348,000 / ¥398,000 JPY · fixed price, payable in JPY)
(¥348,000 / ¥398,000 JPY · fixed price, payable in JPY)
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What language is the retreat conducted in?
＋
David Nichtern teaches in English. Japanese interpretation is provided for all sessions.
How do I get to the venue (Morinotsumi)?
＋
The nearest station is JR Kagaonsen Station, about a 10-minute taxi ride away.
From Kanazawa Station, it takes approximately 30 minutes by limited express train.
From Komatsu Airport, the venue is about a 25–30 minute drive.
Detailed access information will be shared closer to the retreat.
Are rooms shared? Is single occupancy available?
＋
Both shared rooms and single occupancy are available.
Single occupancy can be arranged for an additional fee, subject to availability.
Is there anything I should prepare for meditation practice?
＋
No special preparation is required.
Meditation is practiced using either cushions or chairs, so please bring comfortable clothing suitable for sitting.
How does payment work for international participants?
＋
Prices are shown in USD as a reference, but the retreat fee is a fixed price payable in Japanese yen (JPY).
International credit cards are accepted, and currency conversion is handled automatically by your card issuer.
Post-Retreat
Kyoto Special Tour
Following our retreat in Kaga Onsen, enjoy an exclusive post-retreat experience: a relaxed and intimate visit to Kyoto, exploring the city's timeless beauty together with David as a fellow traveler. (Optional tour with additional fee)
Kyoto Extension with David (+USD 1,000 / ¥150,000)
This is an optional extension program. Following the Kaga Onsen retreat, participants may join a post-retreat visit to Kyoto with David accompanying the group.
Travel
Getting to Morinotsumi
Morinotsumi is located in the Kaga Onsen area of Ishikawa Prefecture. The nearest station is JR Kagaonsen Station, approximately a 10-minute taxi ride from the venue. Below are two common ways to reach the area.
By Shinkansen (from Tokyo)
Direct Hokuriku Shinkansen service to Kagaonsen Station
- 1Tokyo Station → Hokuriku Shinkansen → Kagaonsen Station (approx. 2 hours 50 minutes)
- 2Kagaonsen Station → taxi → Morinotsumi (approx. 10 minutes)
Via Komatsu Airport
Flights to Komatsu Airport are most commonly available from Haneda
- 1Fly to Komatsu Airport (KMQ)
- 2Komatsu Airport → car or taxi → Morinotsumi (approx. 25–30 minutes)
Nearest airport
Komatsu Airport (KMQ) is the nearest airport to the venue. The airport is approximately a 25–30 minute drive from Morinotsumi. Scheduled flights to Komatsu are most commonly available from Haneda Airport (HND).
Travel details will be shared with registered participants prior to the retreat.
