An optical disk apparatus is disclosed. A light emitting element emits a
laser beam directed to a recordable optical disk. A driver rotates the
optical disk. A first optimum recording power obtaining part performs
test recording on the optical disk while the optical disk is rotated by
the driver and output power of the light emitting element is varied so as
to obtain an optimum recording power based on a reproduction signal in a
test recorded area. A temperature measuring part measures the temperature
in the vicinity of the light emitting element. A memory stores the
optimum recording power obtained by the first optimum recording power
obtaining part and the measured temperature when the optimum recording
power is obtained. A temperature-dependent recording power obtaining part
refers to the optimum recording power and the associated temperature
stored in the memory so as to obtain an optimum recording power according
to the temperature measured by the temperature measuring part in real
recording. A target recording power setting part sets the optimum
recording power obtained by the temperature-dependent recording power
obtaining part to a target recording power in the real recording.