A light emitting element includes: a semiconductor structure including: a substrate, an n-side nitride semiconductor layer containing an n-type impurity and located on the substrate, and a p-side nitride semiconductor layer containing a p-type impurity and located on the n-side nitride semiconductor layer, wherein a resistance of a peripheral portion of the p-side nitride semiconductor layer is higher than a resistance of an area inside of the peripheral portion in a top view, wherein a p-side nitride semiconductor side of the semiconductor structure is a light extraction face side, and an n-side nitride semiconductor side of the semiconductor structure is a mounting face side; and first protective layer located on an upper face of the p-side nitride semiconductor layer in a region corresponding to the peripheral portion of the p-side nitride semiconductor layer.