A plasmon generator has a front end face, a first metal layer, a second metal layer, and an intermediate layer. The front end face generates near-field light based on a surface plasmon. The intermediate layer is interposed between the first metal layer and the second metal layer. Each of the first metal layer, the second metal layer and the intermediate layer has an end located in the front end face. Each of the first and second metal layers is formed of a metal material. The intermediate layer is formed of a material higher in Vickers hardness than the metal material used to form the first metal layer and the metal material used to form the second metal layer.