An object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an optically active menthol having fewer steps, which generates less environmentally polluting waste because a catalytic reaction is involved in all of the steps, and is capable of saving a production cost. The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an optically active menthol, including the following steps: A-1) asymmetrically hydrogenating at least one of geranial and neral to thereby obtain an optically active citronellal, B-1) conducting a ring-closure reaction of the optically active citronellal in the presence of an acid catalyst to thereby obtain an optically active isopulegol, and C-1) hydrogenating the optically active isopulegol to thereby obtain an optically active menthol.