Provided is a method for manufacturing a fermented milk product, including sequentially performing a first step of mixing raw material milk and lactic acid bacteria to obtain a mixed liquid, and a second step of fermenting the mixed liquid, characterized by performing a step of adding a Paenibacillus-derived protease to the raw material milk and/or the mixed liquid (protease addition step) before the second step is completed. According to this manufacturing method, the hardness of the fermented milk product can be adjusted to a desired value while original smoothness of the fermented milk product is maintained.