A variable resistance nonvolatile memory device including memory cells provided at cross-points of first signal lines and second signal lines, each memory cell including a variable resistance element and a current steering element connected to the variable resistance element in series, the variable resistance nonvolatile memory device including a write circuit, a row selection circuit, and a column selection circuit, wherein the write circuit: sequentially selects blocks in an order starting from a block farthest from at least one of the row selection circuit and the column selection circuit and finishing with a block closest to the at least one of the row selection circuit and the column selection circuit; and performs, for each of the selected blocks, initial breakdown on each memory cell included in the selected block.