Provided is an endoscope which can switch a bending portion to a semi-fixed state or a semi-fixed release state and has an excellent operability while reducing an amount of bending operation force when the bending portion is bent. The endoscope 1 includes an insertion portion 2 which is inserted into an observation portion and provided with a bending portion 2 b capable of bending in at least two directions, an operation portion 3 connected to the insertion portion 2, and a distal end which is provided at the curved portion 2 b A bending wire 11 which is coupled and bends the bending portion 2 b by towing, a bending wire 11 which is swingable around a spherical body 13 provided on the operating portion 3 to which the proximal end of the bending wire 11 is connected, A bending operation member 5 for imparting a pulling force to the wire 11 and a pivotable member 23 pivotally connected to the bending operation member 5 on the insertion portion 2 side of the spherical body 13 so that the bending operation member 5 can be pushed via the end portion 23 An operation force amount reducing portion 20 having a spring 29, and a semi-fixed mechanism switching operation member 6 for switching between a pressed state in which the spring 29 presses the bending operation member 5 and a non-pressed state.湾曲部を半固定状態、半固定解除状態に切替可能で、且つ、湾曲部を湾曲させる際の湾曲操作力量を軽減しつつ操作性に優れた内視鏡を提供する。内視鏡1は、被観察部に挿入され、少なくとも二方向に湾曲可能な湾曲部2bを設けた挿入部2と、挿入部2に連設された操作部3と、先端が湾曲部2bに連結され、牽引により湾曲部2bを湾曲させる湾曲ワイヤ11と、湾曲ワイヤ11の基端が連結される、操作部3に設けられた球体13を中心に揺動可能に設けられ、揺動によって湾曲ワイヤ11に牽引力を付与する湾曲操作部材5と、23が球体13よりも挿入部2側において湾曲操作部材5に揺動可能に連結され、23の端部を介して湾曲操作部材5を押圧可能なバネ29を有する操作力量低減部20と、バネ29が湾曲操作部材5を押圧する押圧状態と非押圧状態とに切替える半固定機構切替操作部材6と、を具備する。
