The room is dark, the city asleep, and yet the market is already alive.
On the other side of the world, Tokyo and Sydney traders are flicking on their screens.
For them, it is the start of a new financial day.
For a South African trader, it is the middle of the night.
This is the Asian session.
The central question here is simple: what time does the Asian session really run in South African time?
Quiet.
Measured.
Sometimes overlooked.
But it is also the opening act of the world’s largest financial stage.
Many South Africans only ever meet it by accident.
A late-night chart check, an alert triggered while the kettle boils at 2 a.m.
Some dismiss it as the “slow hours.”
Others discover hidden rhythms in its calm, steady ranges.
This guide is your map to those hours.
We’ll trace the session’s times in SAST.
We’ll explain how daylight saving in far-off Sydney can change the game.
We’ll unpack which pairs actually move when the rest of the market sleeps.
By the end, you’ll see why even the quietest hours deserve a place in your strategy.
What is the Asian Session in Forex?
If the forex market were a relay race, the Asian session would be the runner carrying the very first baton of the day.
It’s the point where the financial world wakes up, stretching from Tokyo through to Sydney.
The Asian session officially starts when markets in Sydney open around 23:00 SAST, followed by Tokyo at 02:00 SAST.
For traders in South Africa, that means the market’s “day” really begins while most of us are sleeping.
By the time the sun rises in Johannesburg, Tokyo has already been moving prices for hours.
What makes the Asian session unique is its personality.
Unlike the big bursts of volatility you’ll find in London or New York, the Asian hours often feel calmer.
Price tends to move in tighter ranges, with fewer wild swings.
This doesn’t mean nothing happens, though.
Central banks, exporters, and investors across Japan, Australia, and New Zealand are still placing trades, nudging currencies into position before the heavier activity of Europe takes over.
Think of it as the warm-up act before the headliners hit the stage.
Quieter, yes.
But still an essential part of the show.
Asian Session Times in South Africa (SAST)
The Asian session in South Africa starts with Sydney at 23:00 SAST and runs until 08:00 SAST.
During Australia’s daylight saving (October to April), Sydney shifts one hour later, from 00:00 to 09:00 SAST.
Tokyo then takes the lead, opening at 02:00 SAST and closing at 11:00 SAST, forming the core of the Asian trading day.
Here’s the rhythm in plain sight:
| Session | Open (SAST) | Close (SAST) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 23:00 / 00:00 | 08:00 / 09:00 | Shifts with Australian daylight saving (Oct–Apr) |
| Tokyo | 02:00 | 11:00 | Core Asian market hours |
| London | 09:00 / 10:00 | 17:00 / 18:00 | Varies with UK daylight saving (Mar–Oct) |
| New York | 14:00 / 15:00 | 23:00 / 00:00 | Adjusts with US daylight saving (Mar–Nov) |
Ask any trader in Johannesburg what time the market “really” begins, and they’ll point to the London open.
But the truth is, the first candles of the day are already flickering long before sunrise.
When the clock in South Africa strikes 23:00, Sydney switches on.
While most of the country is winding down, Australian traders are stepping into their offices.
By 02:00 SAST, Tokyo has joined, and the full weight of the Asian session is in play.
From 23:00 to 08:00, the market hums quietly.
Sydney and Tokyo overlap for several hours, giving liquidity to yen and Aussie pairs.
By the time South Africans are driving to work at 07:30, much of Asia’s trading day has already unfolded.
There’s a twist, though.
Australia observes daylight saving time.
That means Sydney’s session can shift by an hour depending on the season.
For South African traders, who live in a country without daylight saving, this creates a moving target.
One month the overlap feels predictable.
The next month it doesn’t.
https://forex-market-hours.com/ – Is a great visually real-time forex market hours clock, a useful tool for forex traders.
Best Hours to Trade the Asian Session
When trading the Asian session from South Africa, it is important to focus on the hours when activity is highest.
Not all of the 12 hours are equally useful.
Step 1: Sydney Open (23:00 – 02:00 SAST)
- This is when liquidity begins to return after the weekend or the New York close.
- Market movements are usually slow, but AUD and NZD pairs can show early activity.
Step 2: Tokyo Core Hours (02:00 – 05:00 SAST)
- This is the most active part of the Asian session.
- Japanese banks and institutions drive flows, making USD/JPY, EUR/JPY, and AUD/JPY the most traded pairs.
- Economic news from Japan is often released at this time.
While Asian hours set the tone for the day, the real volatility often comes later. Discover how the sessions connect in our full breakdown of the best time to trade forex in South Africa.
Step 3: Tokyo–Sydney Overlap (02:00 – 08:00 SAST)
- Liquidity improves because both major Asian markets are open.
- AUD, NZD, and JPY crosses often show clearer direction during this overlap.
- South African traders who can stay awake in these hours usually find the best opportunities.
Step 4: Preparing for London (07:00 – 09:00 SAST)
- As Tokyo begins to close, traders position themselves for the European open.
- This period can bring small breakouts or reversals as Asian flows meet early European orders.
Key Takeaway:
- The best hours to trade the Asian session in South Africa are between 02:00 and 05:00 SAST (Tokyo core hours).
- For those who prefer overlaps, 02:00 to 08:00 SAST provides steady liquidity and movement in JPY, AUD, and NZD pairs.
| Period | Time (SAST) | What Happens | Best Pairs to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney Open | 23:00 – 02:00 | Market reopens, liquidity builds slowly | AUD/USD, NZD/USD |
| Tokyo Core Hours | 02:00 – 05:00 | Most active part of the Asian session | USD/JPY, EUR/JPY, AUD/JPY |
| Tokyo–Sydney Overlap | 02:00 – 08:00 | Both markets open, liquidity improves | AUD/JPY, NZD/USD, USD/JPY |
| Pre–London Setup | 07:00 – 09:00 | Positioning for Europe’s open | JPY, AUD, and NZD crosses |
What Happens in the Asian Session?
When the world’s spotlight isn’t on London or New York, the Asian session holds its own kind of theatre.
It’s quieter, yes, but far from empty.
In Tokyo, banks adjust flows for exporters shipping cars and electronics abroad.
In Sydney, commodity markets tick over, shaped by iron ore and gold prices.
Central banks in Japan and Australia sometimes step in, their decisions rippling through currencies before Europe has even stirred.
Equity indices (like the GER30 during the European session) such as the Nikkei 225, Hang Seng, and ASX 200 also shape flows during these hours, influencing risk sentiment and impacting JPY, AUD, and NZD pairs.
For South African traders watching these hours, the market often looks different.
Charts move in narrower bands.
Price action feels restrained, almost cautious.
This is when range trading thrives; price bouncing between support and resistance, waiting for bigger hands to take over later in the day.
But don’t mistake calm for insignificance.
Some of the most important currency pairs for South Africans:
- USD/JPY, AUD/USD, NZD/USD come alive here.
These pairs mirror the heartbeat of Asia-Pacific economies, and they often set the tone for what Europe will wake up to.
The Asian session is like the overture to a symphony.
Quieter instruments at first, tuning in, before the orchestra swells when London takes its seat.
Best Currency Pairs to Trade in the Asian Session
The Asian session has its favourites.
Not every pair dances here.
Some sit quietly, waiting for London to shake them awake.
But in Tokyo and Sydney hours, the spotlight falls on currencies tied to those regions.
The Japanese yen takes centre stage, with USD/JPY setting the rhythm.
Close behind are the Australian dollar and New Zealand dollar, both tied to commodities and Asian demand.
For South African traders, this means pairs like AUD/JPY, NZD/USD, and USD/JPY often show the clearest moves.
They don’t always explode in volatility, but they respond to economic data releases, policy shifts, and trading flows in Asia.
EUR/USD and GBP/USD?
They tend to nap at this hour, moving sluggishly until Europe wakes up.
That’s why many seasoned traders use the Asian session for range setups or for positioning ahead of London’s breakout.
Here’s the pattern in simple terms:
- JPY pairs: Highly active, react to Tokyo market flows.
- AUD & NZD pairs: Strong link to commodities and Asian equity markets.
- Crosses like AUD/JPY: Particularly responsive to risk sentiment.
In other words, the Asian session rewards focus.
Rather than chasing everything, South African traders do best when they stick to the currencies that truly belong to the night.
Challenges of Trading the Asian Session in South Africa
I still remember the first time I tried to trade the Asian session from Cape Town South Africa.
It was 2 a.m., my desk light was the only thing glowing in the house, and I was staring at a chart that barely moved.
Every candle crept along so slowly that I found myself counting sips of coffee more than counting pips.
That’s the first challenge: the hours.
Sydney kicks off at 23:00 SAST, Tokyo at 02:00.
If you’ve got a day job or a family routine, those times are brutal.
You’re either fighting sleep or sacrificing rest, and neither makes for sharp trading decisions.
Then there’s the pace of the market itself.
The Asian hours are known for low volatility.
Price often drifts in tight ranges.
It sounds safer, but when spreads widen because there aren’t many participants, it can feel like the market is eating into your profit before you’ve even begun.
And just when you think you’ve got the rhythm figured out, Australia throws in daylight saving.
Between October and April, Sydney’s open shifts an hour later.
If you’re not paying attention, you can miss moves you thought would arrive “on schedule.”
For me, the toughest part wasn’t just the charts.
It was waking up the next day groggy, trying to juggle work or studies after a sleepless night.
That lifestyle clash is what makes the Asian session the hardest for many South Africans, not just the market, but the hours we live in.
Opportunities & Strategies for South Africans
Trading the Asian session from South Africa may sound like a disadvantage.
Late nights, slower moves, fewer fireworks.
But hidden inside those quiet hours are opportunities that can shape you into a sharper, more disciplined trader.
Think of the session as your training ground.
Because price often moves in tight ranges, it’s a perfect place to practise patience, technical setups, and range trading strategies.
Every bounce between support and resistance teaches you to respect levels and trust your plan.
There’s also the chance to let the market work while you rest.
Carry trades, for example, reward you for simply holding positions overnight (read: what time does the forex market open in South Africa).
Pairs like AUD/JPY often sit comfortably in the Asian hours, allowing you to benefit from interest while you sleep.
And don’t forget the power of being prepared.
Many successful traders use the Asian session to position ahead of London’s surge.
By spotting key levels early, you can step into the European session with confidence, already aligned with the day’s momentum.
The truth is, you don’t have to see the Asian session as an obstacle.
It can be your edge.
While others ignore it, you can use it to sharpen your skills, test strategies, and even carve out profits in the hours no one else is watching.
You don’t need to master every session.
But if you master this one, you’ll prove to yourself that discipline beats chaos, and preparation beats luck.
That’s the kind of mindset that carries into every trade…
London, New York, or beyond…
Asian Session vs London & New York
To understand the role of the Asian session, it helps to compare it directly with London and New York.
Each session has a distinct character and purpose.
Step 1: The Asian Session (Sydney and Tokyo)
- Runs from 23:00 to 11:00 SAST.
- Known for lower volatility and tighter trading ranges.
- Best suited for range trading, carry trades, and preparing for later moves.
Step 2: The London Session
- Opens at 09:00/10:00 SAST, closes around 17:00/18:00 SAST depending on daylight saving.
- Brings the highest volatility of the day.
- Major European pairs (EUR/USD, GBP/USD) see strong activity.
Step 3: The New York Session
- Starts at 14:00/15:00 SAST and closes at 23:00/00:00 SAST depending on US daylight saving.
- Heavy liquidity, strong trends, and frequent economic data releases.
- The overlap with London (14:00–18:00 SAST) is the most active period of the global forex day.
Step 4: Key Takeaway
- The Asian session lays the groundwork with calm, early positioning.
- The London session delivers momentum and breakout opportunities.
- The New York session provides depth, liquidity, and data-driven moves.
By seeing each session as part of a sequence, South African traders can plan better.
Use the Asian hours to set up, the London session to trade momentum, and the New York session to capture major trends.
Asian Session Time in South Africa: Turning Quiet Hours into Trading Opportunities
The Asian session may not roar like London or surge like New York, but that doesn’t mean it’s without value.
In fact, for South African traders willing to look closer, it holds lessons that can transform how you approach the market.
These quieter hours teach discipline.
They reward patience.
And they offer opportunities — from range trading to pre-London setups — that many overlook.
You don’t need to master every session to succeed.
But when you understand the rhythm of the Asian hours, you begin to see the forex market as a full 24-hour story, not just the chapters that happen in the daylight.
So don’t dismiss the night.
See it as your chance to practise, prepare, and even profit while others sleep.
Whether you trade it actively or simply use it to plan ahead, the Asian session can become a secret edge in your journey as a trader.
The market never sleeps, and if you learn to read its softer moments, you’ll be ready when the louder ones arrive.
What time does the Asian session open in South Africa PDF Download
Key Takeaways: Asian session in South Africa
- The Asian session in South Africa runs from 23:00 SAST (Sydney open) to 11:00 SAST (Tokyo close).
- Activity is lower compared to London or New York, but it is important for setting the tone of the global trading day.
- Best pairs to trade include JPY, AUD, and NZD crosses, which are most responsive during Tokyo and Sydney hours.
- The best time for South African traders is between 02:00 and 05:00 SAST, when Tokyo is most active, or during the 02:00 to 08:00 SAST overlap.
- Daylight saving shifts in Australia (Oct–Apr) can push Sydney’s session one hour later, so always adjust your trading clock.
- The Asian session is useful for range trading, carry trades, and pre-London positioning.
- Indices like the Nikkei 225, Hang Seng, and ASX 200 influence sentiment and can guide movements in JPY, AUD, and NZD pairs.
- Rather than chasing volatility, traders can use these hours to practise discipline, refine strategies, and prepare for London and New York.
