A light ray direction control element includes a first light transmitting substrate, a second light transmitting substrate facing the first light transmitting substrate, a first light transmitting region provided on a first main surface of the first light transmitting substrate, a second light transmitting region provided on a first main surface of the second light transmitting substrate, first light absorbing regions positioned among the first light transmitting region, and second light absorbing regions positioned among the second light transmitting region. The light ray direction control element further includes a light transmitting dispersion medium enclosed in the first light absorbing regions and the second light absorbing regions, and charged electrophoretic particles dispersed in the light transmitting dispersion medium. When viewing a cross-section perpendicular to the first main surface of the first light transmitting substrate, the shape or the angle of inclination, with respect to the first main surface of the first light transmitting substrate, of the first light transmitting region and the second light transmitting region differs.