An optical communication device, reception apparatus, transmission apparatus and transmission and reception system are disclosed. The optical communication device includes a drive circuit substrate. A first through via extends through the drive circuit substrate and is configured to electrically connect an optical element disposed on a first surface side of the drive circuit substrate to a drive circuit disposed on a second surface side of the drive circuit substrate. A positioning element is attached to an interposer substrate and is configured to align optical axes of a first lens that is attached to a lens substrate and that faces a second lens that is disposed on the first surface side of the drive circuit substrate. A second through via extends through the interposer substrate and electrically connects the drive circuit to a signal processing circuit disposed on a signal processing substrate positioned above the interposer substrate.