A semiconductor device of an embodiment includes an SiC layer having a first and a second plane, an n-type first SiC region in the SiC layer, p-type second SiC regions between the first SiC region and the first plane, n-type third SiC regions between the second SiC regions and the first plane, a gate electrode provided between two p-type second SiC regions, a gate insulating film provided between the gate electrode and the second SiC regions, a metal layer provided between two p-type second SiC regions, and having a work function of 6.5 eV or more, and a first electrode electrically connected to the metal layer, and a second electrode, the SiC layer provided between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a part of the first SiC region is disposed between the gate insulating film and the metal layer.