Provided are an imaging unit, an endoscope, and an imaging unit manufacturing method capable of reducing the diameter of the imaging unit and achieving insulation between an inner lead and a solid-state imaging device. The imaging unit 35 according to the present invention includes a solid-state imaging device 44, an insulating base material 45a, and a wiring layer 45b formed on the base material 45a, and is a surface facing the light receiving surface of the solid-state imaging device 44. A flexible printed circuit board 45 extending to the back surface side, and a laminated board 46 connected to the wiring layer 45b side of the flexible printed circuit board 45 and mounted with electronic components 55 and 56, the wiring layer 45b being a base material The inner lead 45c exposed from 45a and connected to the electrode pad 44b of the solid-state imaging device 44 has a first mountain fold 45f-1 that protrudes toward the laminated substrate 46, and the first mountain fold 45f. The position of −1 is behind the back surface f1 of the light receiving surface of the solid-state imaging device 44.撮像ユニットを細径化するとともに、インナーリードと固体撮像素子との絶縁性を図ることができる撮像ユニット、内視鏡および撮像ユニットの製造方法を提供する。本発明における撮像ユニット35は、固体撮像素子44と、絶縁性の基材45aと、基材45a上に形成された配線層45bと、を有し、固体撮像素子44の受光面と対向する面である背面側に延出するフレキシブルプリント基板45と、フレキシブルプリント基板45の配線層45b側に接続され、電子部品55、56が実装された積層基板46と、を備え、配線層45bが基材45aから露出し、固体撮像素子44の電極パッド44bに接続されるインナーリード45cは、積層基板46側に凸となる第1の山状折り目45f-1を有し、第1の山状折り目45f-1の位置は、固体撮像素子44の受光面の背面f1より後方であることを特徴とする。