Provided are an optical element and a method for manufacturing the optical element, wherein the concave optical surface of the optical element does not adhere to the metal mold convex surface and excellent mold releasability is ensured by providing the end surface of the optical element with an end section which is continuous to the outer end section of the concave optical surface of the optical element and providing the end section with a tapered section having a tilt with respect to the flat surface formed by the outer end section of the concave optical surface at the time of forming the optical element by means of a liquid drop method. The tapered section can be used for alignment at the time of assembling the light emitting unit, and contributes to process time reduction and prevention of generation of failures.