A light emitting device includes: a plurality of light emitting elements configured to emit light when a direct current is supplied thereto; and a direct current power supply circuit configured to supply an electric current of a given level or more to the light emitting elements. The light emitting device further includes: a light emitting element voltage detection circuit configured to detect a voltage applied to the light emitting elements; and a forward/reverse inverting circuit configured, when the light emitting element voltage detection circuit detects an abnormality in a light emitting element, to apply a reverse voltage to the light emitting element in which the abnormality is detected.