The joining method of the present invention includes a lapping step of lapping the aluminum alloy plate (1) and the plated steel plate (2) via the adhesive (5), a pre-heating step of clamping both of the metal plates (1, 2) that have been lapped in the lapping step between a pair of electrodes (7, 7) for spot welding and applying pressure thereto, and applying a current between the pair of electrodes (7, 7), a cooling step of pressurizing, after the pre-heating step, both of the metal plates (1, 2) at a pressing force which is higher than that at the start of the pre-heating step in a state where conduction between the electrodes (7, 7) is stopped, and continuing this pressurization over a predetermined cooling time, and a welding step of pressurizing, after the cooling step, both of the metal plates (1, 2) at a pressing force which is higher than that at the start of the pre-heating step, and welding both of the metal plates (1, 2) by applying a current which is higher than the conduction current value in the pre-heating step between the pair of electrodes (7, 7). It is thereby possible to firmly join the dissimilar metal plates (1, 2) by combining adhesion due to an adhesive and spot welding.