There are provided an ion generating unit and a lighting apparatus that are capable of quickly raising an ion concentration to a predetermined concentration upon start-up and elongating a product life while maintaining the predetermined ion concentration.In the ion generating unit configured to control driving of an ion generating element A 31 and an ion generating element B 32 for generating ions by a controller 52, the controller 52 drives the ion generating element A 31 and the ion generating element B 32 upon start up, and is configured to keep driving for a predetermined time period T1 thereby, the ion concentration of a space upon start up can quickly be raised to the predetermined concentration. Further, the controller 52 is configured to drive the ion generating element A 31 and the ion generating element B 32 intermittently and one after another in order after the predetermined time period T1 has elapsed the product life can be elongated while maintaining the predetermined ion concentration and shortening the driving time of the ion generating element A 31 and the ion generating element B 32.
