A bottom end of a main pole includes first, second, and third portions that are contiguously arranged in order of increasing distance from the medium facing surface. A top surface of the main pole includes fourth, fifth, and sixth portions that are contiguously arranged in order of increasing distance from the medium facing surface. A distance from the top surface of the substrate to any given point on each of the first and second portions decreases with increasing distance from the given point to the medium facing surface. The second portion has an angle of inclination greater than that of the first portion with respect to a direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface. A distance from the top surface of the substrate to any given point on each of the fourth and fifth portions increases with increasing distance from the given point to the medium facing surface. The fifth portion has an angle of inclination greater than that of the fourth portion with respect to the direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface.