An observation apparatus is equipped with a housing including a top plate that is a stage on which a container that accommodates a sample is placed; an optical system accommodated in the housing; an imaging device configured to capture an image of the sample with light from the sample that has entered through the stage and the optical system; and a motor that is a power source of a moving mechanism configured to make the optical system move in a direction along the stage. At least one of the imaging device or the motor is placed outside the housing.