Disclosed is an electrostatic atomizer, which comprises a high-voltage applying section 9 adapted to apply a high voltage between an atomizing electrode 2 and a counter electrode 3 so as to electrostatically atomize water supplied onto the atomizing electrode 3, wherein the high-voltage applying section 9 is operable to set an absolute value of a voltage to be applied to the atomizing electrode smaller than an absolute value of a voltage to be applied to the counter electrode 3. This allows a physical object, such as an article stored in a mist-receiving space or an inner wall of a structuralmember defining the mist-receiving space to become less likely to be electrostatically charged, and makes it possible to avoid causing a problem about discomfort due to discharge of static charges when a user touches the physical object.