A semiconductor memory device in which the cell area can be decreased and the minimum feature size is not restricted by the thickness of the material forming the memory cell. In a semiconductor memory device, a gate insulating film, a channel extending in a direction X, and a resistance change element extending in the direction X are formed successively above multiple word lines extending in a direction Y, and a portion of the channel and a portion of the resistance change element are disposed above each of the plurality of the word lines. Such configuration can decrease the cell area and ensure the degree of design freedom.