There is disclosed an information recording/reproducing apparatus utilizing a probe electrode and a recording medium, based on the principle of scanning tunnel microscope. When a track groove on the recording medium is detected, the distance control between the probe electrode and the recording medium is suspended. Consequently, the tip of the probe electrode does not enter the track groove, and is prevented from collision with the recording medium. The scanning speed of the probe electrode can, therefore, be increased without the danger of such collision.