An example magnetic recording head includes a main magnetic pole containing a ferromagnetic layer and a main magnetic pole-magnetization fixing portion containing an anti-ferromagnetic layer in contact with at least one side surface of the main magnetic pole. A heater for the main magnetic pole is configured so as to include an oxide layer with a metal path therein embedded in or provided in the vicinity of the main magnetic pole-magnetization fixing portion and a pair of electrodes, provided in the vicinity of the oxide layer, for flowing a current parallel to a surface of a recording medium through the metal path. A magnetic field generator generates a magnetic field so as to direct a magnetization of the main magnetic pole in one direction.