Provided is an endoscope with excellent operability, in which a bending portion can be switched to a semi-fixation state and a semi-fixation release state, and bending operation force in bending the bending portion can be reduced. An endoscope 1 includes: an insertion portion 2 that is inserted to a portion to be observed and is provided with a bending portion 2b bendable in at least two directions an operation portion 3 continuously connected to the insertion portion 2 a bending wire 11 with a distal end connected to the bending portion 2b, the bending wire 11 causing the bending portion 2b to bend by pulling a bending operation member 5 to which a proximal end of the bending wire 11 is connected, the bending operation member 5 provided to be swingable about a spherical body 13 provided on the operation portion 3, the bending operation member 5 giving pulling force to the bending wire 11 by swinging an operation force reduction portion 20 including 23 connected in a swingable manner to the bending operation member 5 at a position closer to the insertion portion 2 relative to the spherical body 13, the operation force reduction portion 20 including a spring 29 that can press the bending operation member 5 through an end portion of 23 and a semi-fixation mechanism switch operation member 6 that makes a switch to a pressing state, in which the spring 29 presses the bending operation member 5, and to a non-pressing state.
