A variable length code decoding device for decoding variable length code data, including: a table memory that stores a plurality of decoding process tables having a reference relationship therein; and a decoding control unit that sequentially selects the decoding process tables according to the decoded data to control a process of decoding the variable length code data, wherein when referring to the decoding process table to perform an initial decoding of the variable length code data, the initial decoding process is conducted by a longer bit length to be clipped from the variable length code data for referring to the decoding process table than the bit length used when referring to the other portions of the decoding process table.