Founded in 1987 as a joint initiative of Japanese and Dutch walking organisations, the IML encouraged individuals to walk in other countries.
The 8 founder members are walking events in Blankenberge (Belgium). Bern (Switzerland). Diekirch (Luxembourg), Viborg (Denmark), Castlebar (Ireland), Nijmegen (Holland), Seefeld (Austria) and Higashimatsuyama (Japan).

Additional events have joined since then – Wellingborough’s Waendel walk (England), Verdal (Norway), Taipei (Taiwan), Brno (Czech republic), Fulda (Germany), Rotorua (New Zealand),Canbera (Australia), Vancouver Wa (USA), Vaasan Marssi (Finland), Won-Ju (Korea), Arenzano(Italy)and
Chantonnay (France)

Members must be muli-day events, and a minimum of 20km per day must be walked to achieve the IWA stamp. Like the IVV it has its own award scheme based on a form of record book- in this case known as a passport. The first award, the bronze medal, may be purchased after completing  3 different countries. The medal is upgraded after each group of 3 countries, leading to silver medal after 4 groups.
The gold after 7 and gold with laurels after 10 groups of 3.
In addition a bar with the name of the country may be purchased to attach to the medal ribbon.
The bars also reflect the level of achievements- bronze, silver or gold according to the medal owned.
Walkers who complete the original 8 IML events qualify for the “International Masters Walker” bar while those who complete any 8 events in Europe receive the "European Walker" bar

Both award schemes play their part in encouraging individuals to walk on a regular basis.
Most of the trips organised through the Ise Valley Vagabonds incorporate IWA and /or IVV events and most IWA events are also members of the IVV.

IML Walking Association 2008/9 Calendar.

European Region          Days      2008                      2009                                Comment       

Gilboa                           2         4/5 April                 27/28 March                      March/April

Blankenberge                 2        26/27 April              2/3 May                                 May

Wellingborough              2        10/11 May              9/10 May                                May

Chantonnay                   4        1/4 May                  21/24 May                              May

Diekirch                        2        17/18 May              6/7 June                             May/June

Viborg                           2       28/29 June              27/28 June                               June

Castlebar                       4       3/6 July                   2/5 July                                   July

Nijmegan                       4       15/18 July                21/24 July                               July

Vaasa                            3        8/10 August             7/9 August                              August

Verdal                           2        30/31 August           29/30 August                           August

Arenzano                      2        13/14 September      12/13/September                      September

Seefeld                         3        19/21 September      18/20 September                      September

Brno                            2        27/28 September      26/27 September                       September

Fulda                           2          4/5 October             3/4 October                            October

Barcelona                     2         11/12 October          17/18 October                          October

Pan Pacific Region.

Rotorua                     2           15/16 March            21/22 March                           March

Canberra                   2           29/30 March            4/5 April                                March/April

Vancouver U.S.A.     2           25/27 April               24/26 April                             April

Dalian                      2            17/18 May               16/17 May                              May

Arlington U.S.A.       2            18/19 October          17/18 October                         October

Won Ju                    2            25/26 October          24/25 October                         October/November

Higashimatsuyama    3            1/3 November          6/8 November                         November

Taipei                      2            8/9 November         14/15 November                      November