There is provided a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device in which a selective growth mask for partially covering a growth substrate is formed on a growth substrate; a buffer layer that is thicker than the mask is formed on a non-mask part not covered by the mask on the growth substrate, and a predetermined facet is exposed on the surface of the buffer layer; a semiconductor film is laterally grown using the buffer layer as a starting point, and a lateral growth layer for covering the mask is formed while cavities are formed on the upper part of the mask; and a device function layer is epitaxially grown on the lateral growth layer. The cavity formation step includes a first step for growing a semiconductor film at a growth rate and a second step for growing another semiconductor film at another growth rate mutually different from the first growth rate, wherein the first and second steps are carried out a plurality of times in alternating fashion.