The cold cathode lamp includes a light-transmissive insulating tube; the first and second internal electrodes disposed inside the insulating tube; the first and second external electrodes disposed outside the insulating tube and connected to the first and second internal electrodes, respectively; the first and second insulating members covering the first and second external electrodes, respectively; the first opposite electrode opposite the first external electrode with the first insulating member interposed therebetween, the second opposite electrode opposite the second external electrode with the second insulating member interposed therebetween, the first insulating layer covering the outer edges of the first opposite electrode; and the second insulating layer covering the outer edges of the second opposite electrode. It is possible to light up a plurality of cold cathode lamps that are connected in parallel to a power supply. It is also possible to suppress the generation of a corona discharge around the outer edges of the opposite electrode.