A magnetic tape driving apparatus includes a magnetic head (2), a temperature/humidity sensor (4), a Peltier element (11), and a controller (15). The temperature/humidity sensor (4) that detects the temperature and humidity of the magnetic head (2) or in the vicinity thereof. The Peltier element (11) that cools the magnetic head (2) and in the vicinity thereof based on detection results of the temperature/humidity sensor (4). The controller (15) that controls the Peltier element (11)based on the temperature and humidity information obtained by the temperature/humidity sensor (4). The controller ( 15) controls the Peltier element (11) so as to decrease the temperature of the magnetic head (2) and in the vicinity thereof when the humidity of the magnetic head (2) or in the vicinity thereof that the temperature/humidity sensor (4) detects is less than a predetermined value. By adopting this sort of configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in error rate even in a low humidity environment.