To provide a technology capable of realizing high-accuracy detection of
toner density.A developing apparatus includes: a partition plate provided
within the developing apparatus for partitioning an interior of the
developing apparatus into a plurality of space; plural transport mixers
each provided in the space within the developing apparatus partitioned by
the partition plate and rotating for stirring and transporting a
developer including toner and carrier; a density sensor provided in a
transport path of the developer in one space of the plurality of space
partitioned by the partition plate for detecting toner density of the
stirred and transported developer; and retracting part for retracting an
amount of the developer more than a predetermined amount into another
space than the space in which the toner density is detected by the
density sensor so that the amount of developer is constantly equal to or
less than the predetermined amount near a toner density detection
position by the density sensor.