Provided is an endoscope having a bending section that can be switched between a semi-rigid state and a non-semi-rigid state and having excellent handleability while reducing the bending operation force when bending the bending section. The endoscope (1) comprises: an insertion section (2) that is inserted into a site to be observed and that is provided with a bending section (2b) that can bend in at least two directions； an operation section (3) that is provided continuous to the insertion section (2)； a bending wire (11) that has a leading end coupled to the bending section (2b), and when pulled, causes the bending section (2b) to bend； a bending operation member (5) to which the base end of the bending wire (11) is connected, wherein the bending operation member (5) is disposed so as to be able to pivot about a sphere (13) provided in the operation section (3), and when pivoted, applies a pulling force on the bending wire (11)； an operation force reducing unit (20) having a (23) that is pivotably coupled to the bending operation member (5) on the side closer to the insertion section (2) than the sphere (13) is, wherein the operation force reducing unit (20) has a spring (29) that can press the bending operation member (5) via an end of (23)； and a semi-rigid mechanism switch operating member (6) that can be switched between a pressed state in which the spring (29) presses the bending operation member (5) and a non-pressed state.L'invention concerne un endoscope ayant une section de courbure qui peut être commutée entre un état semi-rigide et un état non-semi-rigide, et présentant une excellente maniabilité tout en réduisant la force d'actionnement de courbure lors de la courbure de la section de courbure. L'endoscope (1) comprend : une section d'insertion (2) qui est insérée dans un site à observer, et qui comprend une section de courbure (2b) qui peut être incurvée dans au moins deux directions ； une section d'actionnement (3) qui est placée de façon continue av
