A lens cleaning mechanism according to the present invention comprises: a cleaning unit (1a) that covers a standby area being a part of the surface of a front lens element (11), as the standby area is pressed, the cleaning unit (1a) being rotationally moved along the surface of the front lens element (11) to slide over the entire surface of the front lens element (11), including a remaining part of the surface and the standby area; a drive unit (3) connected to a holding member (1b); and a control unit (2) for rotationally moving the cleaning unit (1a) by driving the drive unit (3).