Apparatus and method for recording and reproducing optical information using holography is designed to provide a small configuration and to improve the S/N ratio of reproduced information. During recording, a phase spatial light modulator generates information light spatially modulated in phase based on information to be recorded, and recording-specific reference light, that irradiate an information recording layer of an optical recording medium to record the information in the form of an interference pattern, resulting from interference between the information light and the recording-specific reference light. During reproduction, reproduction-specific reference light irradiates the information recording layer to generate reproduction light which is superimposed on the reproduction-specific reference light to generate composite light. The composite light is detected by a photodetector to reproduce the information.