Multi-recess hydrostatic journal bearings support a rotating shaft and have inclined surfaces, each inclined surface forming a variable radial gap with the surface of the shaft, the variable gaps converging in the direction of rotation of the shaft to increase hydrodynamic forces, reduce a turbulent component of shear friction, and improve the thermal stability of the journal bearing. The inclined surfaces can be formed in one or more of portions of recess bottoms in recesses, portions of gap lands surrounding recesses, and portions of an inner surface of a bushing.