<p>The Pacific coast of the Tohoku District, northern Japan is known for the high species diversity of the order Rajiformes (skates), although lacking detailed information on the skate fauna based on quantitative surveys. This comprehensive study investigated the species composition, richness and diversity, abundance, distribution patterns, and some biological aspects of skates occurring from the lower continental shelf to upper continental slope off the Tohoku District (Aomori to Ibaraki Prefectures, 150–900&#xa0;m depth), based on data accumulated during three years of bottom trawl surveys. A total of 331 individual skates, weighing 462.9&#xa0;kg, were collected during the surveys, representing 11 species (eight arhynchobatids and three rajids), with six species of the genus <i>Bathyraja</i> being particularly abundant. At least 33% of all recorded Japanese skates (33 species) occurred in the survey area, indicating of the high species diversity of skates off the Tohoku District. <i>Rhinoraja longicauda</i> (<i>n</i> = 100), <i>Dipturus chinensis</i> (<i>n</i> = 69), <i>Bathyraja trachouros</i> (<i>n</i> = 51), and <i>Bathyraja matsubarai</i> (<i>n</i> = 46) were the most abundant species, collectively accounting for 80.4% (266 of 331 individuals) of the total skate catch. Detailed distribution patterns are revealed for each species, confirming three major groups, occupying shallow (<i>D. chinensis</i>), middle (<i>Ba. trachouros</i> and <i>R. longicauda</i>), and deep (<i>Bathyraja isotrachys</i> and <i>Ba. matsubarai</i>) zones, their distribution being strongly dependent on water depth. Furthermore, the distribution of species inhabiting relatively shallow areas varied with latitude, the overall skate fauna of the Tohoku District exhibiting significant vertical and horizontal diversity. The small sizes of mature <i>R. longicauda</i> are suggestive of a relatively short life cycle related to population stability. In addition, “larger-shallower” distribution trends were observed in some species.</p>