A vibration wave motor includes a vibrator; a first holding member configured to hold the vibrator; a second holding member; an elastic coupling member configured to couple the first holding member and the second holding member to each other; a friction member; and a pressurizing unit, wherein the vibrator and the friction member relatively move due to vibration of the vibrator, wherein the elastic coupling member includes a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion, and wherein one of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion is arranged on a straight line that is parallel to a direction of the relative movement and passes through a pressurizing gravity center and another of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion is arranged on a straight line that is orthogonal to the direction of the relative movement and passes through the pressurizing gravity center.