An austenitic stainless steel for use in a hydrogen gas atmosphere comprises, in mass %, C: 0.10% or less, Si: 1.0% or less, Mn: 0.01 to 30%, P: 0.040% or less, S: 0.01% or less, Cr: 15 to 30%, Ni: 5.0 to 30%, Al: 0.10% or less, N: 0.001 to 0.30% with the balance Fe and inevitable impurities. An X-ray (111) integration intensity of a cross section along the direction rectangular to the working direction is five times that in a random direction or less, and the X-ray integration intensity ratio of a cross section along the working direction satisfies I(220)/I(111)≦10. The high strength steel can also contain one or more of the groups of Mo and W; V, Nb, Ta, Ti, Zr and Hf; B; Cu and Co; Mg, Ca, La, Ce, Y, Sm, Pr and Nd.