A pulse wave detection method includes obtaining an image obtained by photographing a subject with an imaging device, extracting intensities representative of signal components of a specific frequency band for respective wavelength components among signals of a plurality of wavelength components included in the image, calculating, using the intensities extracted for the respective wavelength components, a weight coefficient by which a signal is multiplied when the signals are calculated between the wavelength components to minimize an arithmetic value of the signal components in the specific frequency band after multiplication, multiplying at least one of the signals of the respective wavelength components by the weight coefficient, performing arithmetic operation on the signals between the wavelength components after multiplication by the weight coefficient, and detecting pulse waves of the subject using a signal after the arithmetic operation.