An intermediate transfer device has: an intermediate transfer belt supported by a plurality of belt supporting mechanisms so as to be able to circulate, and having elasticity at least in a direction of circulating; a first bias applying mechanism applying a first bias voltage to toner on a toner carrier surface of the intermediate transfer belt; a layer thinning mechanism contacting the toner carrier surface and electrostatically attracting the toner which is on the toner carrier surface so as to thin a layer of the toner; a second bias applying mechanism applying a second bias voltage to the toner whose layer has been thinned; an image carrier carrying a visible image to be transferred onto the toner carrier surface, the toner on the toner carrier surface, to which the second bias voltage has been applied, being transferred onto the image carrier; and a toner removing mechanism removing the toner on the image carrier.