A preparation method according to the present invention makes it possible to industrially produce large amounts of highly pure optically active tert-butyl 3-methyl-4-oxopiperidine-1-carboxylate in high yield by use of commercially available reagents and solvents. In addition, the use of novel intermediates according to the present invention makes it possible to produce highly pure optically active tert-butyl 3-methyl-4-oxopiperidine-1-carboxylate in high yield.