An optical transmission characteristic measurement method includes starting transmission of an optical signal from a transmitting node to a receiving node; receiving a bit error rate value measured by the receiving node and relates to the optical signal; determining whether the bit error rate value is higher than a given threshold; adjusting input power of the optical signal to lower until it is determined that the bit error rate value is higher than the given threshold when it is determined that the bit error rate value is not higher than the given threshold; estimating an optical signal to noise ratio from the bit error rate value when it is determined that the bit error rate value is higher than the given threshold; and calculating an optical signal to noise ratio based on the estimated optical signal to noise ratio and an amount of lowering of the input power.