A semiconductor device includes: a substrate 101, a first nitride semiconductor layer 104S which includes a plurality of nitride semiconductor layers formed on the substrate 101, and has a channel region; a second semiconductor layer 105 which is formed on the first nitride semiconductor layer 104S, and has a conductivity type opposite a conductivity type of the channel region; a conductive layer which is in contact with the second semiconductor layer 105, and includes a metal layer 107 or a high carrier concentration semiconductor layer having a carrier concentration of 1×1018 cm−3 or higher; an insulating layer 110 formed on the conductive layer; a gate electrode 111 formed on the insulating layer 110; and a source electrode 108 and a drain electrode 109 formed to laterally sandwich the second semiconductor layer 105.