An instrument operation apparatus includes a tag reader and a manipulating device. According to a user's manipulation to the manipulating device, the instrument operation apparatus transmits a command signal to one of instruments to operate. The manipulating device includes a detection portion to detect the user's manipulation, and a device information transmission portion to transmit device information according to the manipulation detected by the detection portion using a wireless communications technology. The tag reader includes a reception portion to receive the device information a control circuit to determine a command signal according to the device information received via the reception portion, and a command signal transmission portion to transmit the command signal to the one of the instruments. The instrument operating apparatus is characterized in that an arrangement position at which the manipulating device is arranged or attached is enabled to be changed.