To provide paper having high surface smoothness and extremely outstanding glossiness, a method for manufacturing the same, a support for an image recording medium, and an image recording medium.

The paper has base paper and a polymer-containing layer on the surface on the side to be provided with at least an image recording layer of the base paper and is formed by subjecting the paper to pressure drying treatment. The form that the base paper is manufactured by subjecting wet paper to pressure drying treatment, the form that the polymer-containing layer contains at least either of a water-soluble polymer and water-dispersible emulsion and the form that the polymer-containing layer contains a pigment are preferable.