1. A position recognition method for recognizing a correct position of a honeycomb structure which is comprised of an outer shell, separation walls arranged in the form of a honeycomb within the outer shell, and a number of axially extending cells which are defined by the separation walls, said honeycomb structure being located with the axis extending in an upward and downward direction, wherein a camera to pickup image data is disposed out of an area directly above an upper surface of the honeycomb structure in the axial direction, so that image data of at least a part of the upper surface of the honeycomb structure is picked up by the camera, whereby the position of the honeycomb structure is recognized based on the image data.