An epitaxial growth apparatus is provided having an improved growing speed. This epitaxial growth apparatus is provided with: a reaction chamber that is demarcated by means of a substrate placing section having a substrate placed thereon, a ceiling plate having light permeability, and sidewall sections; a heating means, which is disposed outside of the reaction chamber, and which heats the substrate through the ceiling plate, said substrate being placed in the reaction chamber; and a reaction gas introducing means, which introduces into the reaction chamber a reaction gas in parallel to the horizontal direction of the substrate. The distance between the center of the ceiling plate and the substrate placing section is less than 10 mm.