A rapid conversion of glycerol to lactic acid (lactate) could be successfully achieved under alkaline hydrothermal conditions, by using a continuous flow reaction system. A rapid conversion by a continuous flow-type reaction system made it possible to achieve the reaction under high-temperature conditions without side reactions. The rapid conversion and high reaction yield (reaction: 2 min; yield: 90%) resulted from the rapid temperature-shift advantageous for the inhibition of side reactions.