A switching apparatus that is used for high-speed large-capacity routing and a communication apparatus and communication system that are used for an efficient recursive multicast. A matrix switch performs self-routing on a packet on the basis of a tag including output route information set in the packet. Selectors are located so as to correspond to N output ports P#1 through P#N of the matrix switch and perform N-to-one selection control. Setting registers hold selection information used by the selectors to select a signal.