A backlight (illumination device) according to the present invention includes a plurality of light sources, and a light guiding body for causing light emitted from the light sources to be emitted from a light emitting surface. The light sources are provided inside the light guiding body, and emit light in directions which are substantially parallel to a light emitting surface of the light guiding body. At least two of the plurality of light sources emit the light in directions which are different from each other. More specifically, at least two of the plurality of light sources are provided so as to face each other, and provided so that one of the plurality of light sources emits light toward the other one of the plurality of light sources, and vice versa.