An optical connector for connecting single mode optical fibers includes a ferrule that connects to and holds an optical fiber, and a resin optical element coupled to the ferrule and that includes a lens positioned relative to an end of the optical fiber held in the ferrule, and the lens is provided with an antireflection structure. When the optical connector is oppositely connected to another identical optical connector, the opposing optical elements are disposed such that a diverging light is emitted from the end of the optical fiber, transmitted through the lens, and emitted as a collimated beam of light, and the collimated beam of light is incident on an opposing lens of the opposing, identical optical connector and condensed onto an end of an opposing optical fiber of the opposing, identical optical connector.