A white ink composition for ink jet recording, substantially not containing a metal oxide or hollow resin particles, contains resin particles having a refractive index of 1.6 or more, and a material (B) including at least one material selected from the group consisting of a first material having a refractive index in the range of 1.5 to less than 1.6, a second material having a refractive index in the range of 1.4 to less than 1.5, and a third material having a refractive index of less than 1.4.