The present invention relates to perpendicular magnetic recording media using a ferromagnetic film provided with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy for a recording layer and a magnetic recording apparatus using the media, and the object is to provide the perpendicular magnetic recording media which are excellent in signal to noise ratio (S/N) in a large recording density region, which are stable against thermal fluctuation and which can be easily manufactured, and the magnetic recording apparatus using the media. The representative perpendicular magnetic recording media according to the invention include a glass substrate, a first recording layer which is provided on the substrate via an underlayer, which has perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and the magnitude of magnetic exchange interaction between grains of which is substantially zero and a second recording layer which is laminated on the first recording layer, which is provided with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and the magnetic exchange interaction between grains of which is larger than that of the first recording layer.