a positioning method that includes a step of moving a stage apparatus for supporting a workpiece or an object to be measured from an auxiliary mount to a positioning mount using a rolling guide extending from the positioning mount onto the auxiliary mount , a step of lifting the stage apparatus moved to the positioning mount using a lifting unit to extract the rolling guide , and a step of lowering the stage apparatus onto the positioning mount , from which the rolling guide is extracted , to cause the stage apparatus to abut a reference member and to position the stage apparatus , while hydrostatically supporting the stage apparatus by a hydrostatic bearing unit . a positioning apparatus for performing a positioning method is also set forth .