An image pickup unit 30 according to the present invention, includes a solid-state image pickup device 34 provided with a light receiving portion 35 for receiving photographing light refracted and reflected by a reflection surface 48 of an optical reflection member 32. The image pickup unit 30 also includes a protection member which is surface-joined to and to protect at least the area of an effective reflection surface 45 within the reflection surface by which the photographing light is refracted and made incident on the light receiving portion. Thereby, when the image pickup unit is provided in an electronic endoscope including the optical component for refracting and reflecting the photographing light, it is possible to improve the assembling property of the image pickup unit including the optical component, and possible to prevent the optical component from being damaged under various environment.
