The station is a concentrated terminal operated by Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central), Nagoya Railroad (Meitetsu), and Nagoya Municipal Subway, and is the main access terminal to Chūbu Centrair International Airport.

There is also a special wicket that allows transfers between JR and Meitetsu Lines.

On the Tōkaidō Main Line, there is a rapid train known as the Home Liner, and on the Chūō Main Line, there is a rapid train known as the Central Liner.

[2] Station numbering was introduced to the sections of the Tōkaidō and Chuo Lines operated JR Central in March 2018; Kanayama Station was assigned station number CA66 for the Tōkaidō Line and CF01 for the Chuo Line.

[2] The station is completely accessible inside the gates for passengers with disabilities.