<p>Provided is a polishing apparatus capable of maintaining polishing precision although fewer expendable parts are periodically replaced. The polishing apparatus comprises: a polishing lap (20) having a polishing surface (20a) on the front side thereof to polish an end surface of a workpiece; a support mechanism (30) for supporting a rear surface (20b) of the polishing lap (20) while allowing movement of the polishing lap (20) on a predetermined plane; a workpiece holder (50) for holding the workpiece in a manner such that the end surface of the workpiece makes contact with the polishing surface of the polishing lap (20); and a driving mechanism (70) for linearly reciprocating the polishing lap (20) while rotating the polishing lap (20).</p>
