A spot-size-converting optical waveguide includes a core portion. A first core portion of the core portion has a first straight portion and a first tapered portion. The first straight portion extends in a direction, having width and height that are approximately constant in the direction, and the first tapered portion is continuous with the first straight portion and decreases in width and height toward a termination portion. A second core portion of the core portion has a straight-portion-coating portion, a tapered-portion-coating portion, and a second tapered portion, the straight-portion-coating portion covers the first straight portion, the tapered-portion-coating portion covers the first tapered portion continuously with the straight-portion-coating portion and decreases in width and height along the first tapered portion's shape, and the second tapered portion increases in width and height toward the direction. A refractive index of the second core portion is lower than that of the first core portion.