This invention provides a paper bulking promoter with which a highly bulky sheet can be obtained without impairing paper strength. Namely, this invention provides a process for producing a bulky paper, having the step of making paper from pulp in the presence of a bulking promoter having at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a cationic compound, an amine compound, an acid salt of an amine compound, an amphoteric compound, an amide compound, a quaternary ammonium salt, and an imidazoline derivative.