In 2015, the IR Ishikawa Railway took over the Hokuriku Main Line at Tsubata, effectively isolating the Nanao Line from the rest of the JR network; however, all JR West Nanao Line services continue to run through into the IR Ishikawa Railway to terminate at Kanazawa.

Nearly all local and rapid trains run between Nanao and Kanazawa or Komatsu.

Between Nanao and Anamizu, only Noto Railway operates local trains.

In addition, のと里山里海号 (Noto Satoyama-Satoumi-go) which is a tourist train, has been run on holidays since 2017.

[2][clarification needed] The Nanao Line is entirely within Ishikawa Prefecture.

Operation of the Nanao to Wajima section was transferred to the Noto Railway.