The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure, the method including steps of: forming, by extrusion, a formed body 1 having an outer wall, partition walls provided inside the outer wall, and cells each surrounded by the partition walls as well as extending to an axial direction of the body; and drying the formed body 1. The method for manufacturing the honeycomb structure is characterized in that the forming step includes receiving the formed body on a cradle 10 which receives the formed body so that an angle of a face 7a of the outer wall on the cradle 10 relative to the horizontal plane is 15 to 35 degrees, a cradle which has a V-shaped cross section with a cut at an apex of the V shape and which receives the formed body so that the angle relative to the horizontal plane is 15 to 45 degrees, or a cradle which receives one face of the formed body and characterized in that the drying step includes drying the formed body 1 in a state of being received on the cradle 10 having the predetermined angle. The method for manufacturing the honeycomb structure reduces distortion and deformation of the honeycomb structure.