A regenerative refrigerator includes: a regenerator unit that precools a working gas; and an expander that cools the working gas by expanding the working gas precooled by the regenerator unit. The regenerator unit includes a zinc based regenerator member formed of zinc or an alloy containing zinc as a main component of the alloy. A first stage regenerator optionally includes a high temperature part including a first regenerator member and a low temperature part including a second regenerator member different from the first regenerator member. A second stage regenerator optionally includes a high temperature part including a second regenerator member and a low temperature part including a third regenerator member different from the second regenerator member. The second regenerator member optionally includes a zinc based regenerator member formed of zinc or an alloy containing zinc as a main component of the alloy.