A railway on the Noto Peninsula which suspended services following the powerful earthquake on New Year's Day has resumed full operations.

The first train after the quake to run the entire line of the Noto Railway left Anamizu station in Ishikawa Prefecture at 6:12 a.m. on Saturday.

The railway runs a little over 30 kilometers connecting Nanao City and Anamizu Town.

The line suffered extensive damage, including bent tracks, from the earthquake. It partially resumed services in mid-February.

The section between Notonakajima and Anamizu stations took longer to be restored and passengers had to use bus services.

The railway company says it has reduced the number of trains by about 20 percent and has them running at slower speeds as a safety precaution.

At a ceremony on Saturday morning at Anamizu station, Ishikawa governor Hase Hiroshi said he hopes the full resumption of services will promote the reconstruction of the area.

A woman from Kanazawa City said she is happy the services have been restored and hopes many people ride the train to see the area.

A man from Osaka said he wants to see the area revitalized and hopes many people ride the train.

Nakata Tetsuya, president of the Noto Railway, said he feels relieved and hopes the railway will be a guiding light for people to regain their normal lives.