An image processing apparatus includes a first path information calculating unit, a second path information calculating unit, and a path selecting unit. The first path information calculating unit calculates first path information which is information representing a first path for separating areas from an image. The second path information calculating unit calculates second path information representing a second path for separating the areas from the image, the second path being the reverse of the first path. The path selecting unit selects one of the first path information calculated by the first path information calculating unit and the second path information calculated by the second path information calculating unit.