<p>An endoscope whose part capable of being varied in hardness is not limited by a physical mechanism and where, in a hardness varying operation, the operation can be performed along with other operations without an operation performer removing his/her hand from means for performing the hardness varying operation. An endoscope (3) has an insertion section (21) and an operation section (22). The insertion section (21) has an actuator (54A) for hardness variation and an actuator (54B) for hardness variation. The operation section (22) has a hardness varying and controlling section (93), a track ball (69), and scope switches (SW1-SW5).</p>
