According to one embodiment, an ink jet recording apparatus includes a first ink jet head, a second ink jet head, a main feeding passage, a first roundabout feeding passage, and a controller. The first ink jet head forms an image on a medium. The second ink jet head forms an image on the medium. The main feeding passage feeds the medium so that the first ink jet head and the second ink jet head form an image on the medium. The first roundabout feeding passage feeds the medium without allowing the medium to face the first ink jet head. The controller controls so as to feed the medium through the first roundabout feeding passage if the first ink jet head is unusable.