An organic EL element is provided having a pair of electrodes and an organic functional layer disposed therebetween, the pair of electrodes consisting of an upper electrode and a lower electrode. In the pair of electrodes, the upper electrode includes a first layer and a second layer, the first layer being in contact with the organic functional layer and the second layer being in contact with the first layer. Additionally, the first layer has a higher membrane stress than the organic functional layer and the second layer. Furthermore, the first layer has a crystalline structure and the second layer has a non-crystalline structure.