In late 2003, it became apparent to Tsunku that Morning Musume, then at fifteen members, was growing to a size that some venues simply could not support. As a result, he created two sub groups, Morning Musume Sakuragumi and Morning Musume Otomegumi .
Morning Musume Sakuragumi was compiled of eight of the existing members of Musume: Mari Yaguchi, Ai Kago, Hitomi Yoshizawa, Ai Takahashi, Risa Niigaki, Asami Kanno, Eri Kamei and Natsumi Abe. Despite being created from the same group, Tsunku insisted that the now smaller unit create a more individualistic sound for themselves to differentiate themselves from both Morning Musume and Otomegumi.
With the release of their first single Hare ame nochi suki, it was clear that Sakuragumi were headed in the direction of creating melodic romance tracks. Despite Otomegumi's lapse in overall domination of the Oricon Charts, Morning Musume Sakuragumi proved to be the more popular of the two bands with both of their singles reaching the number one spot on the Oricon.
It was in 2004 that releases and news surrounding the group disappeared, along with the reformation of Morning Musume, and hopes of their future quickly dwindled as the members began to graduate and pursued other projects. There was silence from the group until 2009, when they reformed for the Elder Club's graduation concert, and performed the A-track from their first single. The only member missing from the group was Ai Kago, who had left the agency in 2007.
Later that fall, during the Morning Musume fall tour, a small unit consisting of Eri Kamei, Ai Takahashi and Risa Niigaki, as well as two members from Morning Musume performed the song Sakura Mankai.
In December 2010, Eri Kamei graduated from Hello Project. With Yoshizawa Hitomi now performing with HANGRY & ANGRY, Sakuragumi is down to a duo and the group has again gone dormant, with no news of their future activity available.
