As an example of a nitride semiconductor light emitting device, on a sapphire substrate, a GaN buffer layer, an n-type GaN contact layer, an MQW active layer, and a p-type GaN contact layer are sequentially stacked, and a partial region from the p-type GaN contact layer to the middle of the n-type GaN contact layer is mesa-etched so as to form an n electrode. Meanwhile, a p electrode is provided on the p-type GaN contact layer, and, in addition to the p electrode, multiple ridge parts are formed by crystal growth so as to be scattered. By providing the multiple ridge parts, device characteristics can be improved without causing damage on the GaN-based semiconductor layer.