A method for fusion splicing of a holey optical fiber with a cladding having a large number of air holes along the axis thereof to another optical fiber includes the use of arc discharge heating. First, the method uses arc discharge heating such that the temperature of a position rearward of an end surface of the holey optical fiber is higher than the temperature of the end surface, thereby making a tip portion of the holey optical fiber transparent. Next, the cores are aligned with one another. Then the method includes performing fusion splicing by second arc discharge heating. The first arc discharge heating is performed between discharge electrodes positioned rearward of the end surface of the holey optical fiber. The arc heating time of the first arc discharge heating is preferably 200 to 400 milliseconds.