A magneto-optical recording medium includes a first magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer. The first magnetic layer is a horizontal magnetization layer at room temperature but a perpendicular magnetization layer at a raised temperature. A transition temperature of the first layer continuously or stepwise increases from a light incidence side thereof light in a film thickness direction. The second magnetic layer is a perpendicular magnetization layer both at room temperature and at the raised temperature. In reproduction of information, an optical beam is applied onto the magneto-optical recording medium in which information is recorded by directions of magnetization. The information recorded in the second magnetic layer is transferred to the first magnetic layer and the information is read by the magneto-optical effect.