Nagasaki in one day

During our limited time in Fukuoka, we wish to spend one day making a daytrip to Nagasaki. We will have a JR rail pass to get around. I have read that transport is the best way to get around Nagasaki,but I am hoping that someone can give me a rough outline of a good day plan - beginning and ending at JR Nagasaki station! The only thing we definitely want to see is the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb museum - I know the Hiroshima one is said to be better, but my husband wants to go here as well as our visit to Hiroshima. The rest of the time we are free and easy. My husband and I are young and fit, interested in both modern and historical Japan - can anyone advise me of the best places to see and the way to fit them into one day??

Thanks in advance!

For better or for worse, here is what we did on our recent visit to Nagasaki...

We arrived to JR Nagasaki station around 1030am from Obama. It's a short walk from there to the 26 Martyr's Memorial. Then took the street car to the atomic bomb museum and Peace Park. We took our time there, visiting for several hours. Bought lunch at a convenience store and ate it in the park. If you are also going to the Hiroshima atomic bomb sites, you may not want to spend as much time here.

Afterwards we walked to Urakami Cathedral. This is supposed to be a significant and historic church in Kyushu, and indeed all of Japan, so we had to see that. Well, we did, but knowing what I know now, I wouldn't visit it next time, if I go to Nagasaki again.

Lastly, we took the trolley to Glover Garden and got there late afternoon. There are wonderful views of Nagasaki from this place, and although seeing the atomic bomb museum is a powerful experience, I'd have to say that Glover Gardens was the most enjoyable part of our visit to Nagasaki. I'd plan on being here for a good 2hrs if not more.

We grabbed dinner back at "restaurant row" at the train station before heading off to Kumamoto. Bought "omiyage" (gifts for relatives) of castella (like a rich soft poundcake) at the train station. Castella (or kasutera as pronounced in Japanese) is a specialty of Nagasaki - Fuskuaya is the name brand.

oops. typing too fast - that should have read "Fukusaya."

Thanks for great suggestions. It is hard to know when looking on a map if areas are close enough to manage in one day, it will be good to check out Glover Gardens!

I enjoyed my visit to Dejima and the China Town in Nagasaki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dejima and http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4404.html

Sooty, I would suggest that the first thing you do is to start early by taking either the 0637 train from Hakata to Nagasaki...arrives at 0835... next is 0731-0943
I would aim at the 2025 or the 2130 back to Hakata.
You must visit the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, obviously the Peace Park and ruins of the church nearby. My memory is failing me.....there is a temple where they ring the bell at 1102 every day to mark the dropping of the bomb. Hopefully another reader can recall the name and exact location....it has a large turtle 'building'.
Look at this map
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozi...
The museum is the BLUE 'A'
The temples are up in that top right area marked with the swastika symbols.
You can interrogate the map for the location of the peace Park.
Things are well spread out and you will need a full day.
I would also suggest a walk along the river. There is one spot full of beautiful fish
Probably about where the red + symbol appears on this map
http://www.mapion.co.jp/c/f?uc=1&grp=MapionBB&nl=32/44/38.53...
The fish :- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHsGK5V8qfg
You should take the cable car to the lookout at dusk. The two straight lines off to the left of the station here
http://www.mapion.co.jp/c/f?uc=1&grp=MapionBB&nl=32/45/09.43...
You will need all day. Enjoy.

The map location for the A bomb museum above is wrong...sorry
It is at the red + on this map
http://www.mapion.co.jp/c/f?uc=1&grp=MapionBB&nl=32/44/57.05...
My memory kicked in...old age.

Nagasaki is a very easy city to get around by Public Transport-especially the Trams, ad you can purchase an all day tram pass at most major hotels and tourist info site for 500 yen and it includes a map of the 4 lines with icons for the tourist places shown and its all in english.
I recommend the Urakami area (Cathedral, A Bomb Museum, Martyrs Memorial, and the Nyokodo), Glover Gardens and Dutch Slopes (Parks, Old Buildings, Oura Church), and the Chinatown area,