The hydrogenation catalyst for heavy hydrocarbon oil, includes: as a carrier, phosphorous-zinc-containing alumina that contains 0.1% by mass to 4% by mass, in terms of oxide based on the carrier, of phosphorous and 1% by mass to 12% by mass, based on the carrier, of zinc oxide particles, and supporting, on the carrier, 8% by mass to 20% by mass, in terms of oxide based on the catalyst, of at least one selected from metals in Group 6 of the periodic table and 2% by mass to 6% by mass, in terms of oxide based on the catalyst, of at least one selected from metals in Groups 8 to 10 of the periodic table, and the average particle diameter of the zinc oxide particles being 2 μm to 12 μm.