An optical recording method that performs recording by irradiating optical recording media with laser beam modulated in intensity based on a write waveform is provided. The write waveform has a plurality of write pulse blocks for forming write marks, and each write pulse block has at least one type of upward pulse. In the event that the width of said upward pulse is so narrow that the laser beam intensity corresponding to the peak intensity of that upward pulse cannot be obtained, the peak intensity of that upward pulse is increased so that, in said laser beam, the beam intensity it should have or a value close thereto is obtained. Thereby, good recording and playback characteristics can be obtained even when recording at a high transfer rate.