provided is a light transmitting metal oxide sintered body manufacturing method for obtaining a light transmitting sintered body , the main component of which is metal oxide , by carrying out hot isostatic pressing at a hip heat processing temperature set in a temperature range of 1000 - 2000 ° c . the light transmitting metal oxide sintered body manufacturing method , by which light transmitting properties can be improved , is characterized by the following : in the temperature elevating step of the hot isostatic pressing , a temperature range from room temperature to the hip heat processing temperature is divided into a plurality of stages ; for each divided stage the temperature elevation rate is controlled ; and the temperature elevation rate of a final stage that includes at least the hip heat processing temperature is 10 ° c ./ h to 180 ° c ./ h .