This cross-sectional study investigated the factors associated with recovery in patients with schizophrenia. One-hundred and three patients with schizophrenia participated in this study. Measures included the Japanese version of the Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS-J), Japanese version of the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS-J), Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III (WAIS-III) similarities and symbol search subtests, Life Assessment Scale for the Mentally Ill (LASMI), and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Stepwise multiple regression analyses were performed to investigate relationship between recovery and other clinical variables, including cognitive insight, neurocognition, social functioning, and symptoms. Goal/success orientation and hope in the RAS-J was significantly associated with self-reflectiveness (β = 0.42) in the BCIS-J and self-recognition (β = 0.59) in the LASMI. Reliance on others in the RAS-J was significantly associated with self-certainty (β = 0.49) and self-reflectiveness (β = 0.49) in the BCIS-J. Personal confidence in the RAS-J was significantly associated with self-certainty (β = 0.22) in the BCIS-J and endurance and stability (β = 0.78) in the LASMI. No domination by symptoms in the RAS-J was significantly associated with self-certainty (β = 0.69) and self-reflectiveness (β = 0.28) in the BCIS-J. Willingness to ask for help in the RAS-J was significantly associated with self-certainty (β = 0.41) in the BCIS-J and belligerence (β = 0.59) in the BPRS. RAS-J total score was significantly associated with self-certainty (β = 0.20) and self-reflectiveness (β = 0.12) in the BCIS-J and endurance and stability (β = 0.69) in the LASMI. Our findings provide encouraging evidence for the relationship between recovery and cognitive insight and contribute to developing tailored interventions to improve cognitive insight with the aim of achieving recovery in patients with schizophrenia.