Abstract: A magneto-optical recording medium includes a first magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer being laminated. When information is to be recorded on the first magnetic layer, first, a magnetization direction in the second magnetic layer is arranged in one direction with an application of an initialization magnetic field. Then, an intensity modulated light beam is projected while applying thereto a recording magnetic field so as to change the magnetization direction in the second magnetic layer. Thereafter, the magnetization direction in the second magnetic layer is copied to the first magnetic layer, thereby recording information. The first magnetic layer has a magnetization in an intermediate direction between a perpendicular direction and an in-plane direction at room temperature, while has a perpendicular magnetization at above a predetermined temperature.