Among the 300 species in the Orchidaceae that have been shown to grow in the Japanese Archipelago, more than 110 have been identified in the Mt. Fuji region. Mt. Fuji, located at 35.4 ° N, is a globally unusual site of high orchid species diversity. The reason for this is the existence, under a humid climate, of eight botanical zones, namely: the oak zone, chestnut zone, beech zone, Abies homolepis zone, Abies veitchii zone, Larix kaempferi forest limit, herbaceous zone, and moss zone, from the lowland to the mountain crest at an altitude 3776m. In the present study, the negative and positive effects of various human activities, such as theft, arable and pastoral land use, second-home construction, and artificial afforestation in the Mt. Fuji region over a 76-year period from 1945 to 2021, on orchids were evaluated based on species. This present study is the first report on 31 unique species, including the endangered Cypripedium species, saprophytic orchids named after Mt. Fuji. In addition, the following were discussed in relation to Cypripedium species: status of theft since 1945, actual and current growth status, appropriate nature protection activities, and proposed conservation measures.

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The author had discussed worship of Mount Fuji and Fujizuka mounds in his previous works. He, however, had little discussed Mount Kinkei in Hiraizumi Town. Mt.Kinkei and Mt.Fuji share some similarities. He, first, discusses similarity of mountain figures between Mount Kinkei ahd Mt.Fuji. Next, he discusses religious similarity between Mt. Fuji and Mt. Kinkei from two aspects. Kyo-duka is a mound where Buddhist scriptures are buried in order to hand down for posterity.He discusses Kyo-duka exists on summits of both mountains. Finally, he discusses there exists Gokuraku-Joudo: Pure land of Perfect Bliss on both summits on mountains.

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[in Japanese]

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