A fluorescent tube 30 of the present invention includes a glass tube 31 and electrodes 32 opposed to each other on both end portions 31a of the glass tube 31, characterized in that the electrode 32 has a closed-end hollow shape opened on the opposite side from the end portion 31a of the glass tube 31, and the electrode 32 constituting the closed-end hollow shape has an inner surface 35 configured to be tapered toward the end portion 31a of the glass tube 31. With this configuration, it is possible to contain accelerated electrons not only in the bottom face 33 of the electrode 32 but also in the inner surface 35 of the electrode 32, thereby suppressing sputtering. Consequently, it is possible to increase the life of the fluorescent tube 30.