Abstract: A method is provided for the production of hard capsules having a low moisture content and low hygroscopicity, as well as a method for reducing the moisture content and hygroscopicity of hard capsules produced by a gel cooling process using, as principal components, a water-soluble cellulose compound and a gelling agent. The hard capsules have a water-soluble cellulose compound, gelling agent, and, if necessary, a gelling aid that has loss on drying, after 10 days of storage at 25° C. and a relative humidity of 53%, of less than 6% by weight. Such a hard capsule can be produced by heating a gelled capsule film to 50-150° C. before, after, or simultaneously with a drying step after a gelling step in a gel-cooling process for producing a hard capsule having a water-soluble cellulose compound and a gelling agent as principal components.