Nitrogen-doped $TiO_2$ ($TiO_2$:N) nano-particles with a pure anatase crystalline structure were successfully synthesized through the hydrolysis of $TiCl_4$ in an ammonia aqueous solution. The samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), $N_2$-sorption, and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-vis DRS) techniques. The absorption edge of nitrogen-doped $TiO_2$ shifted into the visible wavelength region. The photoelectrochemical (PEC) performances were investigated for the $TiO_2$ mesoporous electrodes doped with different nitrogen concentrations. The $TiO_2$:N electrodes exhibited much higher PEC responses compared to the pure $TiO_2$ electrode because of the significantly enhanced visible-photoresponsibility of the $TiO_2$:N electrodes.