To provide a method for producing 1,2,3,4-cyclobutane tetracarboxylic acid in a high yield, with an easy production process, while dramatically reducing industrial waste materials.

This method of production comprises the following processes I to III. The method for producing the 1,2,3,4-cyclobutane tetracarboxylic acid is characterized by performing the following processes I to III. The process I: a process of obtaining a maleic acid dihemiacetal ester by protecting with an -unsaturated ether. The process II: a process of obtaining 1,2,3,4-cyclobutane tetracarboxylic acid tetrahemiacetal ester by the photocyclization dimerization of the maleic acid dihemiacetal ester obtained in the process I. The process III: a process of obtaining 1,2,3,4-cyclobutane tetracarboxylic acid by deprotecting the -unsaturated ether from the 1,2,3,4-cyclobutane tetracarboxylic acid tetrahemiacetal ester obtained in the process II.