A door handle portion illumination system for illuminating a door handle portion including a door handle, and a concave portion that is formed on a vehicle body in a position which lies at the rear of the door handle, the door handle portion illumination system including a light transmitting element that is incorporated in the door handle and which includes a luminous surface including, in turn, an area which is exposed on a front side of the door handle and an area which faces an edge portion of the concave portion, and a light source which emits a light that is introduced into the light transmitting element.