To enable recording in a short time without requiring a transfer operation for a recording paper which is not recorded after each color is recorded by setting a second thermal head for transferring ink from a second ink sheet onto the recording paper when the recording paper is transferred in a second direction opposite to a first direction.

In the thermal transfer recording apparatus, a second thermal head 80 and a first thermal head 108 are arranged for executing thermal transfer to a recording paper 1 when the recording paper 1 is transferred in an arrow A direction and an arrow B direction respectively. A transfer operation not accompanying recording the recording paper 1 is dispensed with, so that a recording time can be shortened. The first thermal head 108, a first ink sheet 100 and the second thermal head 80, a second ink sheet 101 can be controlled by switching a rotation direction of a sun gear. The thermal transfer operation can be carried out without a complicate control, and thermal transfer recording completed in a short time can be realized.