Abstract: The joint structure of the present invention includes a flexible tube constructed of a coil-wound metal wire element and of another member. This other member includes 1) a main joint joining the end of the outer peripheral surface of the flexible tube to the end of the other member by laser welding either part or all of the main joint; and 2) spot welds joining together adjacent turns of the coil in the vicinity of the main joint by irradiating a laser beam onto a plurality of separate spots extending over the adjacent turns. A handling device for use in endoscopes having such a structure and a similar structure, in which the other member is also a flexible tube either softer or harder than the above flexible tube, is also discussed. Adjacent turns of the coil in the vicinity of each of the welded joints are laser spot-welded at a number of spots, thereby strengthening the thermally affected regions during the laser welding of the joints and increasing the rigidity of the region.