A light guide element (7) including a light-emitting section (7b) having a light-emitting surface (7a) which allows light emitted from a dot-like light source (6) to produce a surface emission; an light guide section (7c) for guiding the light emitted from the light source (6) to the light-emitting section (7b); and diffusing means (9) for diffusing incident light, wherein the diffusing means (9) is provided in at least part of a region extending from (i) a boundary surface (8) between the light-emitting section (7b) and the light guide section (7c) to (ii) a halfway point between the boundary surface (8) and that end of the light guide section (7c) which is closer to the light source (6). Thus, it is possible to realize: a light guide element which can suppress a decrease in luminance of surface emission and further improve uniformity in luminance of a light-emitting surface as seen from any angle; an illumination device including such an light guide element; and a liquid crystal display device including such an illumination device and thereby having improved display quality.