An image processing apparatus includes a storage storing attribute information of the apparatus, a receiving unit receiving an instruction to perform image processing from a terminal, a checking unit, a request unit, an acquiring unit, an extracting unit, and a notification unit. The checking unit checks the image processing condition against the attribute information, and determines whether the instruction is executable in the apparatus. The request unit requests attribute information from a second image processing apparatus when the instruction is determined to be inexecutable in the apparatus. The acquiring unit acquires one or more pieces of attribute information transmitted as a response to the request. The extracting unit extracts attribute information of a second image processing apparatus which may execute the instruction, from the one or more pieces of attribute information. The notification unit notifies the terminal of identification information of the second apparatus storing the extracted attribute information.