An ignition apparatus comprising a microwave device emitting microwave into a combustion/reaction field to increase temperature of a mixture, and create a plasma discharge, in the combustion/reaction field to increase radical concentration, an igniter igniting the mixture in the combustion/reaction field, and a controller controlling the microwave radiator and the igniter. The microwave radiator and igniter are controlled to repeat a cycle wherein the microwave radiator radiates the microwave into the combustion/reaction field to increase the temperature of the mixture in the combustion/reaction field and creates the plasma in the combustion/reaction field. When the igniter ignites the mixture, the microwave radiator creates the plasma in the combustion/reaction field by radiating the microwave into the combustion/reaction field to increase the radical concentration, so that the flame propagation speed is promoted, and the combustion reaction of the mixture is promoted in the combustion/reaction field.