Provided is an image forming apparatus including: an annular transfer belt having an outer surface on which an image is transferred; a transferring unit including a transfer cylinder having a transfer area that sandwiches a recording medium with the outer surface of the transfer belt to transfer the image from the outer surface of the transfer belt to the recording medium, and a pair of first rotating bodies disposed on both axial end sides of the transfer cylinder; a pair of circulating members each being wound around the first rotating body and being circulated by rotation of the first rotating bodies; and a holding unit attached to the circulating members, the holding unit configured to hold the recording medium, transport the recording medium with circulation of the circulating members, and pass the recording medium through the transfer area.