It is also called "Garyu-jo Castle" (lying dragon castle), because it is on a hill protruding from Fukuchiyama basin overlooking the surrounding urban area, and the hill looks like a lying dragon.
市街地を一望する福知山盆地の中央に突き出た丘陵地にあり、その地形の姿から臥龍城の別名を持つ。