An SERS element includes a substrate, a fine structure portion formed on a surface of the substrate and having a plurality of pillars, and a conductor layer formed on the fine structure portion and constituting an optical functional portion that causes surface-enhanced Raman scattering. A groove is provided in an outer surface of each pillar. A plurality of gaps are formed in the conductor layer by forming the conductor layer on the outer surface of each pillar in a state in which at least a portion of an inner surface of the groove is exposed.