According to an embodiment, a semiconductor memory device comprises: a memory cell array configured having a plurality of memory cell mats, the memory cell mats including a plurality of first lines, second lines, and memory cells, and the memory cell mats being stacked such that the first and second lines are shared alternately by each of the memory cell mats; and a peripheral circuit. Each of the memory cells has a variable resistance characteristic and a current rectifying characteristic. An orientation from an anode toward a cathode of all the memory cells is identical. The peripheral circuit applies to one of the first line and the second line connected to an anode side of the selected memory cell a selected bit line voltage, and applies to the other a selected word line voltage.