A light emitting device includes a wiring substrate, light emitting elements, light-reflecting films, and a light diffusing member. The light emitting elements are mounted in a matrix on the wiring substrate. Each of the light emitting elements includes a sapphire substrate having a lower surface, first lateral surfaces inclined to the lower surface, and second lateral surfaces perpendicular to the lower surface, and a semiconductor layered structure disposed on the lower surface. The light-reflecting films are respectively disposed on the light emitting elements. The light diffusing member is disposed above the light emitting elements. At least a group of the light emitting elements is arranged such that, in every adjacent ones of the light emitting elements in at least one of a row direction and a column direction, the first lateral surface of the light emitting element faces the second lateral surface of the adjacent light emitting element.