Provided is a variable capacitance element comprising a plurality of single capacitance elements that each include (i) a fixed electrode provided on a surface of a substrate, (ii) a floating electrode provided to be separate from the fixed electrode and facing the fixed electrode, and (iii) an actuator that moves the floating electrode closer to or farther from the fixed electrode; and a floating electrode driving section that supplies the actuators with drive power to move the floating electrodes, such that a combined capacitance of the plurality of single capacitance elements becomes a prescribed capacitance.