A method for producing an activated carbon material, wherein the method comprises a step of thermally treating coal-based pitch at two temperature ranges of 400.degree. C. to 600.degree. C. and 600.degree. C. to 900.degree. C.; and a step of mixing the thus obtained carbonaceous material with an alkali metal compound and effecting activation thereof at 600.degree. C. to 900.degree. C., and an activated carbon material obtained by the method. When the activated carbon material of the present invention is used a polarizable electrode material of an electric double layer capacitor, high capacitance per electrode is attained without application of excessive voltage. By adding fibrous material to a coal-based pitch during activation expansion of an alkali molten liquid can be suppressed and productivity can be drastically improved. Furthermore, employment of an fibrous carbon material which is excellent in conductivity as a fibrous material, carbon fiber is melt-bonded on the surface of the activated carbon material, which enables production of a polarizable electrode exhibiting excellent charge/discharge characteristics at high current density.