Measuring up to 2 m (6.6 ft) across, the pitted stingray has a diamond-shaped pectoral fin disc with a characteristic W-shaped groove on the underside.

[2] Nishida and Nakaya (1990) regarded the multispine giant stingray (D. multispinosa) as the same as this species,[3] which was confirmed by the study of Last et al.

[4] The pitted stingray is found over the continental shelf around Japan, and is particularly abundant around Hokkaidō and northern Honshū.

However, the capture of one individual near the surface over water 3,000 m (9,800 ft) deep in the Sea of Japan suggests that this species may have pelagic habits as well.

[6] The tail is whip-like and measures 75–122% of the disc width, bearing 1–3 stinging spines on the upper surface.

[7] Behind the spine, there is a low dorsal keel and a ventral fin fold measuring less than half as long as the disc width.

[5] The pitted stingray is caught incidentally by Japanese coastal fisheries, using longlines, gillnets, and set nets, and marketed for human consumption.