In the optical transmitting system, the optical transmitter transmits a polarization combined signal light obtained by combining a pair of lights having different polarization orientation, and the optical receiver separates the combined signal light. In the optical transmitter, a polarization changer changes a state of polarization of the polarization combined signal light. In the optical receiver, a polarization reverse-changer changes the state of the polarization combined signal light in a reverse direction of the change that polarization changer applies.