Tina and Yukari’s friendship began in an unexpected yet serendipitous way. They met through a mutual friend, at a rave that Yukari and Tina attended . “Tina’s energy, not her age,  captured my attention and we have a common interest in music, dancing, and raving,” Yukari recalls. When Tina later visited Japan, their bond deepened as Yukari introduced her to Tokyo’s rave culture. It was on the dance floor that they truly connected, recognising a shared vitality and energy. “When you dance, you really understand someone’s energy,” Yukari notes. This mutual understanding inspired them to collaborate on DJing, a dream they both shared but needed each other to make happen.  

Yukari had always admired the control DJs have over the energy in a room. Raving had given her a sense of belonging and joy, particularly during a challenging period in her life. “When Tina said, ‘I am thinking about DJing,’ Yukari said, ‘Shall we do it together?'”. They decided to help each other learn, united by their connection to music. “The music connection between the two of us is so primal and we both share it.  People respond to your energy and that is what DJing is about—understanding and reading the crowd,” Tina explains. Their partnership in DJing became a powerful symbol of their intergenerational friendship, each reading and responding to the other’s energy as they explored music and crafted their sets. 

This journey together has not only defied age norms but also highlighted the rich exchange of knowledge and experience between generations. For Yukari, Tina’s insights into longevity and the realisation that age does not reduce one’s capacity for joy and energy have been enlightening. “I learned so much about longevity and that age really doesn’t make any difference when it comes to living and having fun,” she reflects. Their story highlights how friendships across different ages can offer profound learning experiences and break down societal barriers. 

From a cultural perspective, Yukari’s Japanese background emphasises respect for elders, yet often creates a distance between generations. Sharing her experience with Tina, who is over 30 years older, challenges this cultural divide and shows that age does not preclude close, equal relationships. “When I share with my Japanese friends that I have this close dance partner who is 60 and that we DJ together, they see it more as a teacher/pupil relationship. But it really isn’t like that at all,” Yukari laughs. Their friendship demonstrates that the raving community’s acceptance and diversity can bridge generational gaps, creating a powerful sense of unity and shared joy. 

Tina and Yukari’s experiences on the dance floor have also challenged conventional narratives about ageing. Tina notes that the only comments about age at their Longevity Rave events came from the older crowd, revealing that ageism often originates within the older generation itself. “I have never felt that it is an issue at all and if anything, young people love the fact that we are there,” she says of the younger ravers, who embraced and celebrated their presence. 

Yukari reflects on societal pressures surrounding age, particularly in Japanese culture, where turning 30 is seen as a significant milestone with expectations of settling down. This pressure often leads to a fear of ageing, but through her friendship with Tina, Yukari has gained a more optimistic view of getting older. “I have so much less fear about getting older. I never really see age anymore. I don’t ask anyone their age, and even if I do know, it really makes little difference in how I think about them,” she shares. 

Tina, emphasises the importance of lifelong learning and maintaining joy. “We spend a lot of time talking to each other—it isn’t all dancing. And we have so much to learn from each other. I learn so much from being with younger people. And without Yukari, I wouldn’t have been able to do the Longevity Rave. She had my back. We help each other out and we learn from each other, and we miss that in our current social structures which seem to separate ages.” Tina believes that many of the limits we associate with age are self-imposed and that pushing beyond these boundaries can lead to greater happiness and vitality. 

Their collaboration also challenges the notion of age-based limitations in friendships. “If we can make intergenerational friendships cool, that would be something,” Tina laughs. Yukari echoes this sentiment, saying, “You know, I think I am so much cooler because of my friendship with Tina. My friends also think it’s amazing and inspires them to have more friends outside of their age groups.”  

Tina further reflects on the role of confidence in learning new things at any age. “Confidence is so important, so having people and friends and encouragement around to help is so important. I really needed Yukari’s encouragement when I was thinking that I could easily mess up the evening. Getting out of the groove is so important as we get older. It is easy to stay with what you know. We sometimes need to be reawakened to create new habits.”  

Yukari adds, “Tina really added to my confidence in how other people perceive us, and how I perceive myself. I think when you’re younger, you struggle with feeling insecure about your abilities, and whether you’re good enough for others too. But being with Tina has really combated these feelings, since seeing her confidence in the fact that people will enjoy what we can give, and her general positive outlook on life and others made me realize that life is just one big adventure, and people will respond to you as long as you continue to give it your all.” 

Tina and Yukari’s story is a reminder that life, joy, and learning have no age limit. They exemplify how age-diverse connections can enrich our lives, revealing that the only real limitations are our outdated beliefs. Their journey encourages us all to seek out friends across generations—whether older or younger—and embrace the unique perspectives and support they offer. By doing so, we open ourselves to new possibilities and opportunities. What steps will you take to connect with someone from a different age group and make your dreams come true?