An illumination apparatus includes a light converter disposed on a distal end surface of a light guide, the light converter being configured to emit illumination light, which is generated by converting optical characteristics of primary light that is guided by the light guide, in a forward direction which is on the light converter side of the distal end surface, and in a backward direction which is on the light guide side of the distal end surface. The illumination apparatus further includes a light collector configured to collect backward illumination light into the light guide such that the backward illumination light is guided backward by the light guide, and a heat exhauster configured to convert the backward illumination light, which is guided by the light guide, to heat, and to exhaust the heat.
