An exhaust gas oxidation catalyst characterized as an exhaust gas oxidation catalyst comprising a catalyst substrate, wherein a plurality of exhaust gas channels has been formed, and a catalyst layer formed on the surface of the exhaust gas channels in the catalyst substrate; wherein a catalyst layer consisting of a bottom catalyst layer, a top catalyst layer exposed within the exhaust gas channels, and an intermediate catalyst layer located between the bottom catalyst layer and top catalyst layer, is provided so as to cover not less than 25% of the exhaust gas channel surface, and wherein the bottom catalyst layer contains at least an oxygen-occluding agent as catalyst component but does not contain a hydrocarbon adsorbent, the intermediate catalyst layer contains at least catalyst metal, supported on a metal oxide support, and a hydrocarbon adsorbent as catalyst components, and the top catalyst layer contains at least an oxygen-occluding agent and a hydrocarbon adsorbent as catalyst components.