A drying device dries a recording medium on which an image is formed, while conveying the recording medium. The drying apparatus includes a conveying member and a heating device. The conveying member supports and conveys the recording medium in a predetermined conveyance direction. The heating device heats the recording medium conveyed by the conveying member under a high temperature environment. The heating device includes a heater, a reflector and a lifting mechanism. The heater emits infrared ray. The reflector reflects the infrared ray emitted from the heater toward the recording medium. The lifting mechanism lifts and lowers the reflector relative to the heater to change a number of reflections of the infrared ray.