The invention provides a direction input device which changes an electrostatic capacity of a capacity element by changing a distance between electrodes of the capacity element corresponding to a slide direction (i.e., input direction) in which an input unit is slid. A direction input device detects an input direction by a capacity change of a capacity element. The direction input device includes: a input unit which slides horizontally in accordance with an input direction which can be inputted; a capacity element which has a movable electrode and a fixed electrode and detects the input direction inputted to the input unit; and at least one movable unit which moves downward in accordance with the sliding with the input unit so as to move the movable electrode downward corresponding to the input direction inputted to the input unit so as to approach the fixed electrode.