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Thousands of vehicles make the crossing every day.

A bridge so steep it’s been dubbed the ‘rollercoaster bridge’ is located in Japan and sees thousands of vehicles cross it daily. Often regarded as one of the steepest in the world, the Eshima Ohashi bridge links Matsue, in the Shimane Prefecture, with Sakaiminato in the Tottori Prefecture.

People say they have ‘nightmares’ after seeing photographs and footage of this bridge, which cost an eye-watering £119m to construct. In some images, it looks as though vehicles must climb at an extremely sharp angle.

It’s approximately 1.1 miles long, rising to 147 feet as it spans the Nakaumi Lake.

The bridge was constructed between 1997 and 2004, replacing a drawbridge that previously existed there. That structure, however, had some significant design flaws.

For instance, it could only handle 4,000 vehicles daily. Today, roughly 14,900 vehicles make the journey across in a 24-hour period, reports the Express.

It was also blocked by ships for approximately eight minutes at a time, and only vehicles weighing under 14 tons were permitted to use it.

In terms of its gradient, it measures approximately 6.1% on the Shimane side, which is where it’s often photographed from. On the opposite side, it’s marginally lower at 5.1%.

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Images and clips of the bridge frequently cause a stir on social media, sparking discussion about its ‘terrifying’ appearance. One individual shared their thoughts on Reddit, saying: “One of my lifelong reoccurring nightmares involves bridges that look like this.”

Another wrote: “Oh. My. God. I get terrified shivers just looking at these pictures. Massive phobia of heights, I don’t think I’d do well on that bad boy.”

However, it’s important to bear in mind that photos of this bridge are often captured using a telephoto lens, which tends to make it appear far more dramatic than it truly is. It’s still quite steep, and extra caution is needed during the winter months to prevent it from becoming blanketed in ice and snow.

According to the Japan National Tourist Organisation, it’s frequently named one of the ‘craziest’ or ‘scariest’ bridges. Even if you’re without a car, you can walk or cycle across it, and it offers an excellent backdrop for photographs.

Additionally, telescopes and binoculars are available for tourists to gaze out across the lake when the weather permits.

Some would argue that Downton failed to steal the crown of this classic.

Some things are simply unbeatable. A classic period drama, one as critically acclaimed as it was popular, remains regarded as amongst the finest ever produced — Upstairs, Downstairs.

The family saga charted the lives of the aristocratic Bellamy family and their staff in the early 1900s. Spanning three decades, the programme’s narrative stretched both World Wars and the jazz age through to the Great Depression.

As the quintessential period drama of its era, comparisons between Upstairs, Downstairs and Downton Abbey are inevitable. The BAFTA-winning ITV series established the benchmark for costume dramas with storylines that mirror its successor.

Upstairs, Downstairs came before Downton Abbey by 50 years. Both programmes portray the lives of an aristocratic family and their servants against a backdrop of social and political upheaval in the early 20th century.

They diverge in some major ways though, with the most obvious being Downton Abbey’s production values. The 1970s show looks more understated, a quality that strikes viewers as either nostalgic of off-putting.

Downton’s location is fundamentally more grand. The Bellamy family inhabit a London townhouse, worlds apart from the Crawley family’s lavish country manor which became a character in its own right.

Whilst Downton was famed for its visual spectacle, a share of the audience felt the series occasionally strayed into the melodramatic. In contrast, Upstairs, Downstairs has been likened to theatre due to its more grounded visuals and plot lines.

Fans of both period dramas have invariably come together online to compare the shows and name their favourite.

One person sparked a debate on a Downton Abbey forum by asking: “If you have seen both shows, which show do you think is better?” to which one person simply responded: “Upstairs Downstairs without question.”

“The original Upstairs Downstairs is one of the finest TV programmes ever made,” argued another. “Downton Abbey is a jumped up soap opera.”

Of course it would be remiss not to mention the BBC’s reboot of Upstairs, Downstairs in the 2010s, but that’s a whole ‘nother debate.

Upstairs, Downstairs can be streamed on ITVX.