Provided is an ink-jet recording head that prevents a vibration plate thereof from damage attributed to drive of a piezoelectric element, and an ink-jet recording apparatus. There are provided within a region facing the pressure generating chamber 12 a piezoelectric active portion 320 as a substantial drive portion of the piezoelectric element 300 and a piezoelectric non-active portions 330 having the piezoelectric layer continuous from the piezoelectric active portion but not being substantially driven, the piezoelectric non-active portions being provided on both end portions of the piezoelectric active portion in a longitudinal direction thereof, electrode wiring 90 drawn out of the upper electrode 80 is provided on one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the pressure generating chamber 12. And there is provided a protection layer 100 on the other end portion in the longitudinal direction of the pressure generating chamber 12 for protecting the vibration plate being provided in a region facing an end portion of the pressure generating chamber 12 and in region facing an end portion of the piezoelectric layer 70 within the region facing the pressure generating chamber. Rigidity of the vibration plate is thereby increased.