Although the taikodai serves no function in festivals as mikoshi (portable shrine), the taikodai is also believed to be a kind of yorishiro (an object where the gods reside) because divine spirits are thought to dwell at the roof part of the futonyane (roof part of a taikodai is called 'futon') on the taikodai, or at a giboshi (a decoration in the shape of the onion-bulb jewel) of the mikoshiyane (a roof of a mikoshi) on the taikodai in some areas.
太鼓台には神輿（神の輿）としての役割はないが、布団屋根の太鼓台の布団部分、また神輿屋根の太鼓台の擬宝珠部分には神霊が宿ると考える地域があることから、ある種の依り代とも考えられる。