The present invention provides a photocurable ink composition for ink jet recording with excellent curability. The photocurable ink composition for ink jet recording includes polymerizable compounds, a photopolymerization initiator, and a colorant, wherein the polymerizable compounds include a vinyl ether group-containing (meth)acrylate represented by general formula (I): €ƒ€ƒ€ƒ€ƒ€ƒ€ƒ€ƒ€ƒ CH 2 =CR 1 -COOR 2 -O-CH=CH-R 3 ...€ƒ€ƒ€ƒ€ƒ€ƒ(I) (wherein R 1 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R 2 is a divalent organic residue having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, and R 3 is a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic residue having 1 to 11 carbon atoms) and phenoxyethyl (meth)acrylate.