Provided is a shock absorber (10) for generating damping force by applying resistance to operating fluid. The shock absorber (10) is provided with: a cylinder (11) filled with the operating fluid; a piston (16) having an outer peripheral section sliding on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder (11); a rod (15) joined to the piston (16) and protruding outward from the cylinder (11); and a head (19) for supporting the outer peripheral surface of the rod (15) in a slidable manner. An amorphous carbon film (24, 25, 26) is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder (11) and/or the outer peripheral section of the piston (16).
