A patterning method according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: acquiring information about a surface state of an underlying film formed on a substrate; determining, based on the surface state, whether irregularity/foreign matter is present in each shot region in which a pattern is to be formed; and solidifying a resist agent while a first template, when it is determined that no irregularity/foreign matter is present in the shot region, or a second template that is different from the first template, when it is determined that irregularity/foreign matter is present in the shot region, is brought close to the underlying film on the shot region at a certain distance with the resist agent therebetween.