Abstract: A damping force control type hydraulic shock absorber capable of providing different damping force characteristics during the extension and retraction strokes when the piston speed is low. The hydraulic shock absorber has a piston having a first damping force generating mechanism. A bypass passage is formed in part by small orifice passages and an extension-side damping force generating mechanism. The bypass passage is further provided with large orifice passages (constituting a passage with relatively large cross-sectional area) and medium orifice passages (with a medium cross-sectional area). When all the orifice passages are closed with a shutter, "hard" characteristics are obtained by the first damping force generating mechanism. When the shutter is opened, "medium" characteristics are obtained by the cooperation of the extension-side damping force generating mechanism and the medium orifice passages, which come into effect during the retraction stroke.