A magnetic recording medium is provided while including a recording layer in which magnetic materials are in the shape of a circular cylinder and uniformity and size reduction are achieved simultaneously. The magnetic recording medium includes a recording layer and an electrode layer disposed on a substrate, wherein the recording layer and the electrode layer are disposed in the same plane. The above-described electrode layer is disposed adjacently to the end portion of the plane in which the recording layer on the substrate is disposed. A matrix surrounding magnetic material portions of the above-described recording layer contains alumina as a constituent provided by anodization of aluminum. Alternatively, the matrix surrounding the magnetic material portions of the above-described recording layer contains at least one of Si and Ge or an oxide thereof as a constituent.