An X-ray examination method comprises setting a tube voltage of an X-ray tube to a tube voltage that makes an X-ray absorptance difference between a first X-ray propagation medium and a second X-ray propagation medium in an object become not more than 10%, applying an X-ray beam from the X-ray tube to the object while a tube voltage of the X-ray tube is set to the tube voltage, and detecting a transmitted X-ray image including an X-ray refraction image formed in a region along a contour of a boundary surface between the first X-ray propagation medium and the second X-ray propagation medium by refraction of the X-ray beam by the boundary surface in superimposition on an X-ray absorption image reflecting the X-ray absorbing power difference between the first X-ray propagation medium and the second X-ray propagation medium.