According to one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a main pole, a write shield pole on a trailing side of the main pole, a recording coil, and a temperature control element unit. The temperature control element unit includes a first electrode on a leading side of the main pole and on both sides of a track of the main pole, a second electrode on the leading side of the main pole and on a track center of the main pole, an N-type semiconductor and a P-type semiconductor connected to the first and second electrodes, and a wiring portion which applies a current via the second electrode, N-type semiconductor, first electrode, P-type semiconductor, and second electrode. The first and second electrodes form a heat absorbing portion and a heat radiating portion.