To minimize decreases in production yield caused by the inability to read management information that is recorded in a lead-in area of a multi-layer recording medium. A multi-layer recording medium in which guide layer-equipped optical disks (111) having a plurality of recording layers (113) and guide layers (112) are integrated by bonding said disks to one another so as to produce a double-sided disk, both sides of which may be used for recording. With regards to the lead-in areas for the guide layers of the guide layer-equipped optical disks (111) for both sides, single-sided disks and double-sided disks are identified, and side management information for identifying the side surfaces in the case of a double-sided disk is recorded in advance in said lead-in areas using a wobble or the like. As a result, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of the occurrence of defective products caused by the inability to read the surface information in comparison to cases in which surface management information is recorded on a recording layer using pre-pits or the like, and it is thus possible to improve the production yield.