An ink composition, which comprises: at least two kinds of water-soluble dyes each having the maximum wavelength of an absorption spectrum in an aqueous solvent of from 550 to 700 nm, wherein at least one of the at least two kinds of water-soluble dyes is selected from the group consisting of a compound represented by formula (L-1) as defined in the specification, a salt of the compound represented by formula (L-1) and a compound having a naphthalene ring substituted with at least one hydroxyl group and three or more azo groups; an ink set containing at least one kind of the ink composition; a recording method comprising applying the ink composition to a recording medium; and a recording method comprising loading the ink set on a recording apparatus, and applying the ink from the recording apparatus to a recording medium.