A basic data structure in a lead-in area is made coincident with each other in all of a read only type, write once type, and a rewritable type. The lead-in area is divided into a system lead-in area and a data lead-in area. A track pit and a pit pitch of pits in the system lead-in area are made longer than those in the data lead-in area. In the system lead-in area, a reproduction signal from a bit is detected in accordance with a Level Slice technique, and, in the data lead-in area and data area, a signal is detected in accordance with a PRML technique. In this manner, in any of the read only type, write once type, and rewritable type, there can be provided an information recording medium and an information reproducing apparatus or information recording and reproducing apparatus therefor, capable of a stable reproduction signal from a lead-in area of the write once type recording medium while maintaining format compatibility.