A method for producing a ceramic honeycomb structure comprising a ceramic honeycomb body having large numbers of longitudinally extending cells defined by cell walls, and an outer peripheral wall formed on an outer peripheral surface of the ceramic honeycomb body, comprising the steps of applying a coating material comprising colloidal silica having an average particle size of 4-150 nm to longitudinally extending grooves defined by cell walls on the outer peripheral surface of the ceramic honeycomb body, and induction-drying the coating material to form the outer peripheral wall.