A low alloy steel is heated to a temperature ranging from 550 to 620° C., and high KN and low KN value processes are performed for a total process time of A: 1.5 to 10 hours. In the high KN value process, a nitriding potential KNX given by Formula (1): 0.15 to 1.50, the average KNX value KNXave: 0.30 to 0.80, and the process time is X in hours. In the low KN value process, which is performed after the high KN value process, a nitriding potential KNY given by Formula (1): 0.02 to 0.25, the average KNY value KNYave: 0.03 to 0.20, and the process time is Y in hours. Average nitriding potential value KNave determined by Formula (2) ranges from 0.07 to 0.30. KNi=(NH3 partial pressure)/(H2 partial pressure)3/2]  (1) KNave=(X×KNXave+Y×KNYave)/A  (2) where i is X or Y.