According to one embodiment, an image display device includes an image display unit and a liquid crystal optical apparatus stacked with image display unit. The image display unit emits image light having a polarizing axis. The liquid crystal optical apparatus includes first and second substrate units and a liquid crystal layer. The first substrate unit includes a first substrate and first electrodes extending along a first direction. An angle between the polarizing axis and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees. The liquid crystal layer is provided between the first and second substrate units. An angle between a long-axis direction of the liquid crystal and the polarizing axis is greater than 0 degrees and less than the angle between the polarizing axis and the second direction.