According to an embodiment, a semiconductor memory device comprises: a first wiring line; a memory string connected to this first wiring line; and a plurality of second wiring lines connected to this memory string. In addition, this memory string comprises: a first semiconductor layer connected to the first wiring line; a plurality of second semiconductor layers connected to this first semiconductor layer; and a variable resistance element connected between this second semiconductor layer and the second wiring line. Moreover, of the first semiconductor layer and the plurality of second semiconductor layers, one includes a semiconductor of a first conductivity type, and the other includes a semiconductor of a second conductivity type.