A pole layer incorporates: a first portion having an end face located in a medium facing surface; and a second portion having a thickness greater than that of the first portion. A surface of the first portion closer to a substrate is located farther from the substrate than a surface of the second portion closer to the substrate. A surface of the first portion farther from the substrate is located closer to the substrate than a surface of the second portion farther from the substrate. At least a portion of the pole layer is placed in an encasing groove formed in a region extending from a first encasing layer through a second encasing layer to a nonmagnetic metal layer.