1. An image recognition apparatus that recognizes an object based on an image, the image recognition apparatus comprising: a recognition unit that recognizes the object based on a target area in an image obtained by a camera installed in a vehicle; an identifying unit that, during normal operation of the vehicle, identifies an optical axis position of the camera relative to the vehicle based on the image; and a changing unit that, during normal operation of the vehicle, changes a position of the target area in the image according to the optical axis position identified by the identifying unit.