A method for producing a semiconductor device includes depositing a first insulating film and a second insulating film on a planar semiconductor layer formed on a substrate; forming a first hole for forming a gate electrode in the second insulating film; filling the first hole with a first metal to form the gate electrode; forming a side wall formed of a third insulating film on an upper surface of the gate electrode and a side surface of the first hole; performing etching through, as a mask, the side wall formed of the third insulating film, to form a second hole in the gate electrode and the first insulating film; forming a gate insulating film on a side surface of the second hole; and epitaxially growing a semiconductor layer, within the second hole, on the planar semiconductor layer to form a first pillar-shaped semiconductor layer.