An observation apparatus includes an imaging unit, a driving mechanism, and a control section. The imaging unit includes an imaging section and an illumination section. The imaging section includes an image sensor and an imaging optical system, and images a sample to output an image signal. The illumination section includes a plurality of emitting sections which are located away from an optical axis of the imaging optical system and configured to emit illumination light toward the sample. The driving mechanism moves the imaging unit. The control section controls operations of the imaging section, the illumination section, and the driving mechanism. The control section determines a lighting emitting section of the emitting sections and causes the lighting emitting section to light based on the image signal, when the imaging unit is moved by the driving mechanism.