An optical disc playback device has a signal generating section, a shift set section, a shift drive section, a position storage section, an ascent/descent set section and an ascent/descent drive section. The signal generating section generates a focusing error signal and a tracking error signal and also outputs a RF signal. The shift set section sets the shift position of a pickup based on the tracking error signal. The shift drive section drives the pickup such that it is located at the set shift position. The position storage section makes the ascent/descent position of the pickup correspond to the shift position, and previously stores the relevant information. The ascent/descent set section determines an ascent/descent position corresponding to the set shift position by reading it from the position storage section. The ascent/descent drive section drives the pickup such that it is located at the determined ascent/descent position.