A substituted cyclopentanone represented by the formula (2) can be produced by hydrogenating the double bond in a compound represented by the formula (1) in the presence of a transition metal catalyst by using a carboxylic acid or a specific concentration of a carboxylic acid ester as a solvent. This process can produce a substituted cyclopentanone which is useful as an jasmine-flavored fragrance, an intermediate in the production of the fragrance or the like, in a simple and inexpensive manner at a high cis-form ratio; (1) wherein R<1 >and R<2> represent a substituent having 1 to 8 carbon atoms; and (2) wherein R<3> and R<4> represent a substituent having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, may be the same as R<1> and R<2>, and may be the same as each other.