The present invention provides an electric power generation method using a thermoelectric power generation element, a thermoelectric power generation element, and a thermoelectric power generation device, each of which has higher thermoelectric power generation performance than conventional ones and can be used for more applications. The thermoelectric power generation element includes a first electrode and a second electrode that are disposed to oppose each other, and a laminate that is interposed between the first and second electrodes and that is electrically connected to both the first and second electrodes, where the laminate has a structure in which Bi2Te3 layers and metal layers containing Al, Cu, Ag, or Au are laminated alternately, a thickness ratio between the metal layer and the Bi2Te3 layer is in a range of metal layer:Bi2Te3 layer=400:1 to 20:1, lamination surfaces of the Bi2Te3 layers and the metal layers are inclined at an inclination angle θ of 15° to 60° with respect to a direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode oppose each other, and a temperature difference applied in a direction perpendicular to the direction in the element generates a potential difference between the first and second electrodes. The electric power generation method and thermoelectric power generation device each use the element.