An edge light type backlight unit having an improved light-reception portion. The backlight unit includes one or more light sources that emit light, a light guide panel that guides the propagation of light incident on one side edge thereof, one or more light-reception portions having a first entrance face slanted opposite the side edge of the light guide panel on which the light is incident at a predetermined angle, and one or more reflecting elements that are disposed between each of the light-reception portions and each of the light sources and guides the light emitted by the light source so that it is incident on the first entrance face.