1. An image retrieval apparatus, comprising: an input unit configured to input an image data; an extracting unit configured to extract feature area images from the inputted image data such that each of the feature area images represent a partial area of the inputted image data; a storage unit configured to store the image data in association with the extracted feature area images; a retrieving unit configured to retrieve a target image similar to specified image data from the storage unit, each of the specified image data having feature area images that represent a partial area of the specified image data and the target image having feature area images that represent a partial area of the target image; a display unit configured to display each of the feature area images of the specified image data together with a corresponding feature area image of the target image such that each of the feature area images representing the partial area of the specified image data is displayed simultaneously with a corresponding feature area image representing the partial area of the target image; and a display control unit configured to vary a displaying time interval that is a time of displaying the feature area images of the specified image data and the target image according to an attribute of the feature area images, the display control unit configured to control the display unit to display the feature area images in the displaying time interval in an order according to the attribute of the feature area images.