A method of manufacturing a light-emitting element includes: forming a plurality of masks on a surface of a first conductive semiconductor layer; forming a plurality of rods comprising a first conductive semiconductor by partially removing, in a depth direction, a portion of the first conductive semiconductor layer exposed from the masks by etching; forming an insulating film on the rods and a surface of a the remaining first conductive semiconductor layer; performing wet etching, in a state in which a mask covering the insulating film is not formed, to remove a first portion of the insulating film on lateral surfaces of the rods but retaining a second portion of the insulating film on a surface of the first conductive semiconductor layer; forming a plurality of light-emitting layers covering the lateral surfaces of the rods; and forming a plurality of second conductive semiconductor layers covering outer peripheries of the light-emitting layers.