A nitride semiconductor light emitting device includes: a semiconductor laminate having a first conductivity-type semiconductor layer and a lattice buffer layer in which InGaN layers and GaN layers are alternately stacked, the semiconductor laminate having a columnar body portion protruding through etching of a peripheral region, an insulating layer covering the semiconductor laminate and having an opening at an upper surface of the body portion, and a light emitting structure including a second conductivity-type semiconductor disposed on the upper surface the body portion and selectively grown in the lattice buffer layer to have a side surface inclined with respect to the upper surface of the body portion, an active layer covering the second conductive semiconductor layer, and a third conductivity-type semiconductor layer covering the active layer and contacting the insulating layer.