A process for producing a polyhydric phenol, characterized by using the following steps (a) to (d) to produce the phenol: (a) a first step in which (4S,5R,6S)-4,5,6-trihydroxy-2-cyclohexcen-1-one is produced from 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose through dehydration, (b) a second step in which 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene is produced through dehydration from the (4S,5R,6S)-4,5,6-trihydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one obtained in the first step, (c) a third step in which 4-hydroxycyclohexane-1,3-dione is produced from the 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene through catalytic hydrogenation using a metal catalyst, and (d) a fourth step in which the 4-hydroxycyclohexane-1,3-dione is heated to thereby produce hydroquinone.