Accurate calibration of recording power is performed without exceeding a rated output value of a laser diode even if recording speed is increased and high recording power is required. An information recording apparatus records information on an information recording medium such as a DVD-R/RW or a DVD+R/RW by applying a laser light onto the information recording medium. A pickup has a laser light source. A light receiving unit for detecting the amount of light by receiving the laser light emitted from the laser light source is provided, and the power of the laser light is controlled based on the power of the detected laser light. Before the actual information recording, a test emission is performed during calibration to determine an adequate recording power, and the emission duty of the laser light is controlled within the range not exceeding the rated output value of the laser light source.