[3] Originally, the line acted as a connecting route to the Jōetsu Shinkansen at Echigo-Yuzawa Station.

Upon the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen on 14 March 2015, the limited express services Hakutaka[4][5] of the line, which had run from 1997 with an average daily ridership of 6,900 passengers, were withdrawn.

Snow Turtle is a special service with irregular schedules and available for rental by organizations.

The fastest service, which stops only at Tōkamachi, only takes 57 minutes travelling from Echigo-Yuzawa to Naoetsu.

10 HK100-0 series single-car units were built by Niigata Transys for use on local, rapid and Chō-Rapid Snow Rabbit trains between Echigo-Yuzawa and Naoetsu, and started operation since its opening in 1997.

18 cars of 681-2000 series and 9 cars of 683-8000 series trains, nicknamed Snow Rabbit Express (SRE) were built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, with final assembly at Niigata Transys for operation on the Hakutaka limited express trains between Echigo-Yuzawa and Kanazawa stations.

Following the retirement of the Hakutaka services, the trains were transferred to JR West for operation on Shirasagi limited express services.The Hokuhoku line is entirely in Niigata Prefecture.