A holding apparatus includes an insertion space into which an object, namely a finger or a toe including a nail, is inserted; and a plurality of pressing members disposed in the insertion space along an insertion direction of the object into the insertion space, that hold the object inserted into the insertion space in the insertion space. In such a holding apparatus, the insertion space includes an object holding wall provided at a position capable of contacting the object inserted into the insertion space; each of the plurality of pressing members is capable of movement in a first direction pressing the object to a side of the holding wall and a second direction opposite the first direction, and is biased toward the first direction; and a biasing force biasing the a first pressing member of the plurality of pressing members disposed relatively at a back side in the insertion direction is greater than biasing forces biasing the other pressing members.