A planar light emitting device includes an organic EL element module unit in which plural organic EL elements are arranged side by side, each of the organic EL elements including an anode, a light emitting layer and a cathode that are formed on a first surface side of a first transparent substrate, and a second transparent substrate disposed on a light extraction side of the organic EL element module unit. The organic EL element includes a first through hole wire that is electrically connected to a first part of the anode formed outside a light emitting portion, and a second through hole wire that is electrically connected to a second part of the cathode that extends on the first surface of the first transparent substrate. External connection electrodes for supplying power to the organic EL element module are disposed on a first surface side of the second transparent substrate so as to avoid a projection region of the light emitting portion.