An image fiber is provided with an image transmitting portion including a plurality of cores and a cladding surrounding the cores; a jacket layer higher in refractive index than the cladding, covering the periphery of the image transmitting portion; and a coating layer higher in refractive index than the cladding, covering the periphery of the jacket layer. The image fiber, integrally constructed in this way, allows light propagating through the cladding to be effectively eliminated, and thus fails to produce flare.