A recording head has a near field light (NF light) generator generating NF light on a generator end surface that irradiates a magnetic recording (MR) medium; a main magnetic pole including a pole end surface facing an air bearing surface (ABS) that emits magnetic flux to the MR medium from the pole end surface; and a return shield having a shield end surface facing the ABS, that is magnetically linked with the main magnetic pole, and absorbs magnetic flux from the MR medium at the shield end surface. The pole end surface and the shield end surface are on the same side of the generator end surface in the down track direction, and are close to each other in the track crossing direction. A center line in the down track direction of the generator end surface extends between opposing sides of the pole end surface and the shield end surface.